National Court, Mt Hagen
The National Court (established under s163 of the Constitution of Papua New Guinea) is the superior-level trial court in Papua New Guinea and the Supreme Court (established under s160) is the final court of appeal and the highest court in the country. Judges of the National Court form panels of the Supreme Court on an ad hoc basis to hear appeals from the National Court and administrative tribunals. Both the Supreme Court and the National Courts have an inherent power to make orders in the nature of prerogative writs and such other orders as are necessary to do justice in the circumstances of a particular case.
The National and Supreme Courts can, at the time of sentencing of a convicted offender, consider a range of non-custodial measures. In so doing, the Courts would take account of the rehabilitative needs of the offender, the protection of society and the interests of the victim(s). Non-custodial options include:
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Contact: Assistant Registrar National Court, PO Box 864, Mt Hagen, WHP Ph: 542 2422 Fax: 542 3622
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District Court, Mt Hagen
PNG's judicial system consists of Village Courts, District Courts and the National Court which is the superior trial court. Magisterial Services (established by section 173(1) of Constitution of Papua New Guinea) administers the District Court system within PNG, and there are 57 District Court establishments across the nation staffed by 88 magistrates and more than 500 court support staff.
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The District Court's key functional jurisdictions include:
The District Court uses formal and informal approaches for settling grievances, particularly in the use of Alternative Dispute Resolution. Magistrates can also make orders for a community work order to be undertaken by a defendant who has been found guilty. Where mitigating factors outweigh the aggravating factors, the defendant may be placed on probation with conditions for community work and/or payment of compensation. |
Contact: Mt Hagen District Court PO Box 379, Mt Hagen. Ph: 542 3216/2562, Fax: 542 1887 |
Village Courts, Western Highlands Province
Village Courts are an essential part of PNG's formal court system. They are established under the Village Courts Act 1989 and the Village Court Regulations 1973. There are more than 1,500 Village Courts across the country, supported by over 15,000 officials, including 900 women. Each Village Court has 4-5 Village Magistrates (appointed by the Minister for Justice as judicial officers), 3-4 Peace Officers, and 1 Clerk. Over 90% of people living in PNG have access to a Village Court, which have the jurisdiction to settle local disputes and deal with minor crimes using customary conflict-resolution approaches wherever possible.
Village Courts are the largest provider of restorative justice services in PNG, and are authorised to do the following:
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Contact: Mr Johnny Penna Provincial Village Courts Officer Office of Provincial Administrator Western Highlands Provincial Administration P. O. Box 17, Mt Hagen Western Highlands Ph: 542 2949 Facsimile: 542 2316 |
Probation, Parole & Juvenile Justice Services, Mt Hagen
CBC is an agency within the Department of Justice & Attorney General. CBC has offices in every province across PNG and it plays a central role in developing and implementing restorative justice programs throughout the country. It provides members of the community with access to community justice services which include the provision of non-custodial rehabilitation programs for both adult and juvenile offenders. This assists offenders to re-enter society as responsible, productive citizens.
CBC is responsible for:
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Contact: Senior Probation Officer Probation, Parole & Juvenile Justice Services Dept. Of Justice & Attorney General PO Box 796, Mt Hagen, WHP Ph/Fax: 542 1302 |
Provincial Administration & Dept. for Community Development, WHP
The Provincial Administrations across PNG have Community Development Branches, which provide services on behalf of the Department of Community Development. The Welfare Officers and Child Protection Officers employed by the Provincial Administration administer the provisions of a number of acts, including the Laukautim Pikinini Act, Deserted wife & Children Act, Marriage Act, National Youth Service Act, and National Council of Women Incorporation Act.
Provincial welfare, gender & child protection officers provide the following services to the public:
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Contact: The Principla Advisor Western Higlands Provinical Administration Community Development Division PO Box, 17, Mt Hagen, WHP Ph: 542 3793 |
Office of the Public Prosecutor, Mt Hagen
The core function of the Office of the Public Prosecutor (OPP) is the prosecution of matters in the National Courts and criminal appeals in the Supreme Court across PNG. The Public Prosecutor is empowered under the Constitution to control the exercise and performance of the prosecution function of the State. As part of the conduct of prosecutions the OPP has contact with victims of crime.
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As part of its prosecution function the OPP provides an information and referral service to victims of crime whose matters are before the National and Supreme Courts. This involves:
The OPP also makes submissions on behalf of the State as to the appropriate penalties that ought to be imposed by the superior courts following a conviction. |
Contact: Office of the Public Prosecutor Highlands Region Hagen Drive P.O Box 1203, Mt Hagen, WHP Ph: 542 3447, 7100 2305 Fax: 542 3519 |
Correctional Services,Baisu & Juvenile Remand Centre, Western Highlands Province
Established under the Correctional Services Act, Papua New Guinea Correctional Services is the government agency responsible for the custody, confinement and rehabilitation of offenders and prisoners. It is also responsible for the effective administration of the agency. CS is responsible for operating correctional institutions across all provinces in PNG.
CS provides the following rehabilitation programs in its correctional institutions:
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Contact: Correctional Services Head Office P.O. Box 6889, Boroko NCD Ph: 323 1855/323 1978 Fax: 323 0407 Baisu CIS Ph: 275 5120 Fax: 275 5121 |
Anglican Church, Western Highlands Province
The Anglican Church of Papua New Guinea is made up of five dioceses – Port Moresby, Aipo Rongo, Dogura, New Guinea Islands, and Popondetta. Priests are trained at Newton Theological College, Popondetta, and catechists at Kerina Evangelists' College at Tsendiap in Western Highlands Province. The Anglican National Office and the church's administrative headquarters is at Lae. The Anglican Education Division operates 3 high schools, about 100 community schools and 2 vocational centres, whilst the Anglican Health Service runs 3 health centres (rural hospitals), 12 health sub-centres and 12 aid posts.
The church provides several programs in PNG:
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Contact: Church Partnership Program Anglican National Office PO Box 673, Lae Ph: 472 4111, Fax: 472 1852
Anglicare, Mt Hagen Ph: 7190 6203
Mothers' Union, Mt Hagen Ph: 542 1113 |
Catholic Church, Western Highlands Province
The Catholic Church of Papua New Guinea is made up of 4 Archdioceses and 15 Dioceses in Vanimo, Altape, Wewak, Lae, Madang, Mt Hagen, Wabag, Mendi, Goroka, Kundiawa, Kavieng, Kimbe, Rabaul, Kerema, Daru, Aloutau, Berina, and Port Moresby. The church runs numerous programs across PNG (regional contact details can be obtained by ringing the Port Moresby numbers below)
The church programs include:
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Contact: Mt Hagen Arch Diocese Franciscan Sisters of the Immaculate Ph: 542 3399 Youth Office | Ph: 649 1123 Health Secretary | Ph: 542 3710 Sisters of Notredame Ph: 542 1387, 546 2391, 542 3575 Sr. DavidaStrojek Phone/Fax: 592 0808 | Mob: 7167 5334 Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. Maggie Turwai Catholic Family Life - Coordinator Ph: 542 1285 | Mob: 7271 3780 |
Mercy Works PNG (Mt Hagen)
Mercy Works in an NGO founded in 2006 by the Sisters of Mercy Australia & PNG who are committed to reaching out to the poor and vulnerable within the community. It receives funding from individual donors and churches and works closely through a number of government and non-government organisations, including Police, CBC, Courts, Community Development, Correctional Services, Department of Education, Ombudsman's Office, Public Solicitor, hospitals, media, and human rights bodies.
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Mercy Works offers the following services:
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Contact: Louise Parinjo Project Co-ordinator Mercy Works Sisters of Mercy PO Box 265, Mt Hagen Ph: 5423517 Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. |
Ombudsman Commission of Papua New Guinea, Highlands Region Office - WHP
The Ombudsman Commission is an independent constitutional Institution created by the Constitution in 1975.
It consists of the Chief Ombudsman and two Ombudsman. A vibrant premier institution in persuit of promoting good governance and quality leadership in PNG by the year 2019
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The main functions of the commission are to:
Clarification on complaints
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Contact: Regional Manager Agilta Corner Building, Hagen Drive P.O. Box 745 Mt. Hagen 281, WHP Telephone: 542 1986 Fax:542 2497
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Caritas Papua New Guinea – Mt.Hagen Catholic Archdiocese
Caritas PNG is an agency of the Catholic Bishops Conference (CBC) of PNG & Solomon Islands. They promote Integral Human Development of the grassroots citizens of PNG.The mission of Caritas PNG is to take active role in social justice, peace, ecology, and human development issues as part of the pastoral mission of the Church, promote Catholic Social Teaching, address injustice, inequalities, poverty and dependency which undermine human dignity, and be a voice for the poor and marginalized to build a better PNG.
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It has operates through main goals: Integral Human Development (IHD), Disaster & Relief Management, Helping the Poor and Marginalized, Research & Advocacy, Child Protection, Gender Equality, Ecological Stewardship & Care of God’s Creation, Democratic Governance.
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Contact: Ms.Jenny Mek – Diocesan Caritas Coordinator Mt.Hagen Catholic Archdiocese P O Box 54, Mt.Hagen, WHP Ph: 542 1285 Fax: 542 2128 MB: 7278 9689 Email:This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. |
National Youth Development Authority – Mt Hagen, Western Highlands Province
The National Youth Development Authority is a government agency established to provide policy directives for the youth of PNG. It provides a framework for planning and program development for all agencies and organisations involved in youth development work. Inclusive in its policy area for stakeholders to develop and implement programs is Law Order and Justice with the objectives to promote, maintain safety, security and peace in communities.
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Contact: Mrs Dulcie Niba Advisor Community Development P.O.Box 17,MT HAGEN,W.H.P Ph:5423793 Mobile:72027876 |