Papua New Guinea · Courts
Court structure of Papua New Guinea
Every tier of the judiciary, what it hears, and where an appeal goes next.
The hierarchy, top to bottom
- Final appellate — Supreme Court of Justice
- Final court and the only court that may interpret the Constitution; sits in benches of three or more.
- Superior first instance — National Court of Justice
- Unlimited jurisdiction; resident judges in most provincial centres.
- First instance — District Courts
- Summary criminal jurisdiction and civil claims to K10,000.
- Customary — Village Courts
- About 1,600 courts applying custom, with mediators and magistrates who need not be lawyers.
- Specialist — Land Titles Commission and Leadership Tribunals
- Tribunals under the Organic Law on the Duties and Responsibilities of Leadership.
Every court in the hierarchy
- supremeWaigani, Port MoresbySupreme Court of JusticeFinal appeals from the National Court, exclusive jurisdiction under section 18 to interpret and apply constitutional laws, and an advisory jurisdiction under section 19.
- first-instanceWaigani, Port MoresbyNational Court of JusticeUnlimited original jurisdiction in civil and criminal matters, enforcement of basic rights under section 57, judicial review, and appeals from the District and Village Courts.
- specialisedNationwide (approximately 1,600 courts)Village CourtsDisputes within village communities under custom: minor offences, compensation, bride price, garden and boundary disputes, and mediation, subject to monetary and penalty limits.
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