The Papua New Guinea Centre for Judicial Excellence (PNGCJE), in collaboration with the Supreme and National Courts of Papua New Guinea, convened a two-day Judicial Case Management Workshop at APEC Haus, Port Moresby, bringing together 28 Honourable Judges from across the country. The workshop was facilitated by Judge David Campbell, Senior United States District Judge for the District of Arizona, who has served on the Court since 2003. The workshop was held from the 1–2 June 2026.
The workshop was designed to strengthen judicial efficiency and access to justice, while equipping judges with practical skills and leadership strategies drawn from international best practices and adapted to PNG’s judicial context for sustainable reform
The Chief Justice of Papua New Guinea Chief Sir Gibuma Gibbs Salika GCL KBE CSM OBE in his opening address, underscored the critical importance of judicial case management in strengthening access to justice. Reflecting on his thirty-seven years on the bench, he remarked:
“Justice delayed is often described as justice denied. But in our context, delay is not merely an inconvenience, it is a barrier to dignity, to economic participation, and to public confidence in the rule of law.”
Chief Justice Salika emphasized that judicial case management is not simply a technical reform but a fundamental tool for ensuring fairness and efficiency. He urged judges to take proactive leadership in managing cases by setting clear timelines, discouraging unnecessary adjournments, encouraging efficient preparation by counsel, and maintaining firm but fair control of court processes.
Adding to the discussion, Hon. Justice John Carey Judge Administrator for the PNGCJE acknowledged that while some judges may feel such trainings take time away from their daily work, research shows they are highly beneficial. He noted that evidence from comparative judicial systems demonstrates that workshops of this kind improve efficiency, strengthen judicial leadership, and ultimately enhance public confidence in the courts.
Over two days, judges engaged in sessions on setting firm trial dates, discouraging unnecessary adjournments, maximizing settlement opportunities, and writing judgments efficiently. The workshop concluded with an implementation roadmap to embed case management practices into daily judicial work.
Funded and supported by the Papua New Guinea Centre for Judicial Excellence (PNGCJE), the workshop underscores the Judiciary’s ongoing commitment to embedding case management reforms that deliver justice that is timely, accessible, and meaningful to the people of PNG.
