Save the date for the PNG Continuing Legal Education Event: 2nd September 2025
Join the CLA at this continuing legal education event at the Crown Hotel Port Moresby on 2nd September.
Open to all members of the judiciary, practicing lawyers and LTI students free of charge, the event is co- hosted with the PNG Centre for Judicial Excellence, the Law Society of Papua New Guinea, the PNG Women Lawyers Association, the Bar Association of Queensland and the PNGAus Partnership
Whilst lawyers and LTI students are encouraged to attend in person, the event will be live streamed and open to all who wish to join virtually.
Date : Tuesday 2nd September 2025
Time : 15.00 – 20.45 Port Moresby
Register to attend in person: Please email your details to vkila@pngjudiciary.gov.pg
Livestream link for those unable to attend in person : https://youtube.com/live/nhS6pOMOeQQ?feature=share
Programme and speaking faculty :
Download the full programme here
15.00 Registration and welcome
15.20 – 15.35 Prayer and Welcome
» Luke Wangi, Senior Associate, LLLS Lawyers
» David Denniston, Commonwealth Lawyers Association & Special Counsel, LLLS Lawyers
»Hubert Namani, Principal, Namani & Associates & President of the Law Society of Papua New Guinea
SESSION 1: MINING LAW, OIL & GAS & NATURAL RESOURCES LAW DEVELOPMENTS
15.35 – 16.05 The new Mining Bill – key changes, landowner perspectives, and ways the government may take up its increased equity
» Presenter: Sharon Haihavu – Manager, Legal & Compliance, Mineral Resources Authority
Developments in Resources Laws – National Petroleum Authority
» Chair and presenter: Sarah Kuman, Partner, Allens
16.05 – 16.30 Courtroom advice for young lawyers
» Chair: Marlyna Kispe, Associate, LLLS lawyers & Joint VP, PNG Woman’s Lawyers
» Presenter: Gertrude Tamade, Special Counsel, Corrs Chambers Westgarth, PNG & Chair of the Corrs Network of Women PNG (CORRS NOW PNG)
16.30 – 17.00 Natural Resources Law in PNG, Biodiversity Loss & Climate Change – have we got the land use balance right, the RECC List and the law and the role of the Courts
» Chair: Ethel Heagi, Head of Legal, New Porgera Limited, Barrick (Niugini) Limited, PNG ADR Committee, Member of the PNG CORE – Legal Sub-Committee
» Presenter: Deputy Chief Justice Ambeng Kandakasi, CBE
17.00 – 17.15 Break – Light refreshments
SESSION 2: THE PROFESSION, ITS POSITION, AND THE FUTURE
17.15 – 17.45 An Independent Referral Bar in PNG – has the time come?
» Chair: Jessy Biar, Senior Lawyer, Vic Bar, Holingu Lawyers
» Presenter: The Hon Justice J A Logan RFD
17.45 – 18.15 AI – its role in the judiciary and legal practice – risks & opportunities and the CLA Declaration on AI
» Chair: Anthony Roden-Paru, Senior Associate, Vic Bar, Allens & PNG Law Society Councillor
» Presenter: Alison Holt, LLM, FITP, FBCS, MInstD, CITP, Adviser e-Judiciary, Office of the Chief Justice, Supreme and National Courts
» Presenter: Kenneth Imako, Partner, Allens
Download the CLA AI Declaration here
18.15 – 18.45 The Commonwealth Latimer House Principles: the doctrine of Separation of Powers, Parliamentary Sovereignty & the Independence of Lawyers & the Judiciary
» Chair: Chief Justice, Sir Gibbs Salika GCL KBE CSM OBE
» Presenter: Justice Narokobi – Judge of the PNG National & Supreme Courts
18.45 – 19.15 Law Society Update Compulsory Legal Education in PNG – has the time come?
» Chairs: Chief Justice, Sir Gibbs Salika GCL KBE CSM OBE and Andrew Crowe KC CBE – QLD Bar
» Presenter: Tauvasa Tanuvasa, Acting Secretary of the Law Society of Papua New Guinea
» Presenter: Hubert Namani, Principal, Namani & Associates & President of the Law Society of Papua New Guinea
19.15 – 19.25 Closing Remarks
» Hubert Namani, President of the Law Society of Papua New Guinea
19.25 – 19.30 Closing Prayer and Conclusion
» Luke Wangi, Senior Associate, LLLS Lawyers
» David Denniston, Commonwealth Lawyers Association & Special Counsel, LLLS Lawyers
19.30 – 20.45 Light Refreshments & Networking
Speaker Profiles
Alison Holt LLM, FITP, FBCS, MInstD, CITP
Deputy Chief Justice Ambeng Kandakasi