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.
DJAG's Role & Secretariat Functions
Under the Organic Law on Provincial and Local Level Governments (OLPLLG), village courts and customary land dispute resolution are delegated functions to Provincial Governments. The Department of Justice and Attorney General, through the Village Courts and Land Mediation Secretariat located on Cameron Road, Gordons in Port Moresby, holds the statutory coordination and monitoring functions. These key functions include:
- Administering and implementing legislation: Ensuring the Village Courts Act 1989, Village Court Regulations 1973, and Land Dispute Settlement Act are effectively applied and managed.
- Gazettal and Proclamation: Administering the official gazettal and proclamation of Village Court areas, the appointment and revocation of Village Court officials, and Land Mediators.
- Information Management Systems: Improving and maintaining an effective Village Courts and Land Mediation services Information Management System for data collection, analysis, and reporting.
- Capacity Building for Provinces: Strengthening the capacity of Provincial Administrations to sustain the support they provide to Village Courts and land mediation services in their respective provinces.
- Awareness on Cross-Cutting Issues: Fostering an awareness of addressing cross-cutting issues such as human rights, gender equality, and juvenile justice within village courts and land mediation operations.