The Honourable Justice John G. F. Carey, a Judge of the Supreme and National Courts of Papua New Guinea and Judge Administrator and Executive Director of the Papua New Guinea Centre for Judicial Excellence (PNGCJE), delivered a lecture to law students at the Eugene Dupuch Law School in Nassau, The Bahamas, on 8 October 2026.
The lecture, entitled “Justice Across the Oceans: A Lawyer’s Journey Through the Common Law”, was delivered from 2:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. and drew upon Justice Carey’s journey from legal practice to judicial service across different Commonwealth jurisdictions.
Justice Carey examined the enduring reach and adaptability of the common law, emphasising its shared heritage while recognising that its application must remain responsive to local constitutional, cultural and social realities. Drawing upon his experience in Papua New Guinea, he discussed the interaction between customary law and constitutional principles and stressed that the pursuit of universal justice must respect local circumstances.
The presentation also addressed the rule of law and sustainable development, the importance of independent courts and accountable government, and the role of access to justice in building effective and resilient institutions. Justice Carey highlighted integrity, professionalism, courage and lifelong learning as essential qualities for lawyers and judicial officers.
He further discussed the responsible use of technology and artificial intelligence in the legal profession, emphasising the continuing need for human judgement, confidentiality and careful verification of information.
In his concluding message to the students, Justice Carey encouraged them to master the fundamentals of law, protect their professional reputations, serve their communities, remain resilient and never stop learning. He reminded them that the legal profession is ultimately a profession of service and that public trust is earned through integrity and consistent conduct.
The lecture reflected the Law School’s academic-year theme, “Building a Resilient and Sustainable Future through Law”, and underscored the important contribution that future lawyers can make to the rule of law, institutional development and access to justice.