The Judge Administrator of the Papua New Guinea Centre for Judicial Excellence (PNGCJE), His Honour Justice John Carey, paid a courtesy visit to The Honourable Philip Davis MP, KC, Prime Minister of The Bahamas, during his stay in Nassau.
Justice Carey also serves as the Vice President (Pacific Region) of the Commonwealth Magistrates’ and Judges’ Association (CMJA), having recently been elected to the position at the Association’s Annual Conference in Kingston, Jamaica last month.
The visit provided an opportunity for Justice Carey to highlight the work of the Papua New Guinea Centre for Judicial Excellence in promoting high standards of judicial education and professional development for judges and court officials. He noted that judicial education remains a cornerstone of an effective and independent judiciary, particularly in an increasingly complex legal environment.
His Honour also discussed matters relating to the rule of law, judicial independence, and the separation of powers, highlighting the importance of strong democratic institutions throughout the Commonwealth.
During the meeting, Justice Carey presented Prime Minister Davis with a copy of his recently published book, Judicial Education in Practice: A Guide to Effective Training for Judges, a comprehensive resource designed to strengthen judicial education and professional development within courts and judicial institutions.
In receiving the publication, Prime Minister Davis acknowledged the significance of judicial education in supporting strong democratic institutions and commended initiatives that contribute to enhancing judicial excellence and professional competence across Commonwealth jurisdictions.
Justice Carey said it was a privilege to meet with the Prime Minister and present a copy of the publication, which draws on practical experiences and best practices in judicial training.
“Judicial education is fundamental to ensuring that judges remain equipped with the knowledge, skills and ethical foundations necessary to administer justice effectively. It is my hope that this publication will contribute meaningfully to ongoing discussions and developments in judicial education throughout the Commonwealth and beyond,” Justice Carey said.
The meeting took place at a time of significant engagement across the Commonwealth, with His Majesty King Charles III expected to visit The Bahamas this month ahead of the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting, which will be held in Antigua.
The courtesy visit further underscored the longstanding ties between Commonwealth jurisdictions and their shared commitment to strengthening judicial institutions, upholding the rule of law, and advancing excellence in the administration of justice.
Justice Carey and Bahamas PM