CLA News / Continuing Legal Education in Papua New Guinea: A Report by Peggy Ilu and Loretta Damien, the Joint YCLA Representatives for PNG
On 2 September 2025, the Commonwealth Lawyers Association (CLA), in collaboration with the PNG Law Society, the PNG Centre for Judicial Excellence, and supported by the Bar Association of Queensland, the PNG Australia Partnership, and the Mineral Resources Authority, hosted its 3rd Continuing Legal Education (CLE) seminar at the Crown Hotel, Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea.
The seminar attracted over 300 in-person attendees and 315 online participants, including distinguished speakers and guests:
- Her Excellency Winnie Kiap, CBE, Chair of the Commonwealth Foundation
- Chief Justice, Gibuma Gibbs Salika GCL KBE CSM OBE
- Deputy Chief Justice, Ambeng Kandakasi CBE
- Justice John Alexander Logan RFD
- Justice Dr Vergil Narokobi
- PNG and Australian judges
- President of the PNG Law Society, Hubert Namani
- Andrew Crowe KC CBE from the Queensland Bar
- Angelyn Paranda, Director of the Legal Training Institute
- Kym Freriks, Managing Editor, Pacific Islands Legal Information Institute (PacLll)
- Legal practitioners, Legal Training Institute students, and barristers from the Queensland Bar
The five-hour program covered a wide range of topics, including:
- Reforms in the Natural resources law – the new Mining Bill and National Petroleum Authority;
- AI’s role in legal practice and the CLA Declaration on AI;
- The Commonwealth Latimer House Principles and judicial independence;
- Is PNG ready for an independent Bar;
- Courtroom advice for young lawyers;
- Natural resources law, biodiversity, and climate change;
- Update from PacLII;
- Updates from the PNG Law Society, including the launch of its website and the introduction of compulsory CLE in PNG.
In a session chaired by Chief Justice Sir Gibbs Salika and co-chaired by Andrew Crowe KC CBE, Mr Hubert Namani, President of the PNG Law Society, announced that compulsory CLE will be introduced for all legal practitioners in PNG starting 2027, following a trial period throughout 2026. From 2027 onward, lawyers must complete 10 hours of CLE annually to maintain their practicing certificates.
Also at the seminar, it was announced that the PNG Law Society has officially become a member of the CLA, strengthening its ties with the broader Commonwealth legal community and may also join LAWASIA who has supported the law society in its rule of law concerns.
Mr Namani and Acting PNG Law Society Secretary Tauvasa Tanuvasa also emphasised the importance of mentorship, encouraging senior lawyers to guide junior practitioners. Chief Justice Salika echoed this, sharing his own experience of mentorship during his early legal career.
In addition, the PNG Law Society announced its move toward full digitalisation by 2026, with lawyers’ records and files to be stored online for transparency and public access. This initiative aims to modernize the profession and improve accountability.
Her Excellency Winnie Kiap’s presence was a highlight, drawing admiration from attendees and reinforcing the Commonwealth’s commitment to legal excellence and democratic values.
CLA PNG again spearheaded the event and PNG Council Member David Denniston was ably supported by CLA Representatives Peggy Ilu and Loretta Damien and the Clare Roe from the CLA Secretariat who provided the graphics etc and smiled each time an amendment was requested.
The CLE was reported in the two local newspapers, Post Courier on 3 September 2025 and National Newspaper on 4 September 2025.
The CLE can be viewed at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ulhizC5vlV8&t=1162s
By Peggy Ilu and Loretta Damien
Joint PNG Representatives on the Young Commonwealth Lawyers Association Committee
Read More about Loretta Damien
Published: 25th September
