About the Secretariat
Village Courts are formal courts operating under the Village Courts Act 1989 and Village Court Regulations 1973. They employ customary methods of mediation and conflict-resolution which are basic concepts of restorative justice. There are currently 14,496 Village Courts throughout Papua New Guinea, covering approximately 90% of the country with more than 15,000 officials, of which around 900 are women. Each Village Court comprises 4–5 Village Magistrates (selected by the community and appointed by the Minister for Justice as judicial officers), 3–4 peace officers, and 1 clerk.
Land Mediation is provided for under the Land Dispute Settlement Act (Chapter No.45) to facilitate the settlement of disputes in relation to customary land. The Village Courts & Land Mediation Secretariat (VCLMS) plays a crucial role in supporting these vital community-level justice mechanisms.
Our Vision
To support and enhance accessible, fair, and effective community-based justice systems through Village Courts and Land Mediation, reflecting customary values and promoting peace and harmony across Papua New Guinea.
Our Mission
- To ensure the effective administration and implementation of legislation pertaining to Village Courts and Land Mediation.
- To coordinate the establishment and proper functioning of Village Courts and the appointment of Land Mediators nationwide.
- To continuously improve information management systems for efficient monitoring and support.
- To empower Provincial Administrations to sustainably manage and support Village Courts and Land Mediation services.
- To raise awareness and integrate considerations for cross-cutting issues within Village Court and Land Mediation operations.