The Pacific Centre for Judicial Excellence (PCJE) and the Papua New Guinea Centre for Judicial Excellence (PNGCJE) are hosting judicial officers from across the Pacific region in Port Moresby this week for a three-day Fraud and Corruption Judicial Education Workshop from 3 to 5 November 2026.
The programme aims to strengthen judicial capacity to address increasingly complex fraud, corruption and financial crime matters and provide a platform for judicial officers to share knowledge, experiences and best practices in addressing fraud and corruption across the region.
Opening the workshop, the Acting Chief Justice of Papua New Guinea, Justice Panuel Mogish CSM, welcomed judicial representatives from the Cook Islands, Niue, Solomon Islands, Tokelau and Tonga, highlighting the importance of regional collaboration in addressing crimes that continue to challenge legal systems throughout the Pacific.
In his opening remarks, the Acting Chief Justice noted that fraud and corruption undermine public confidence in institutions, divert resources from essential services, impede economic growth and weaken the rule of law. He emphasised the need for judicial officers to deepen their understanding of the legal, evidentiary and practical issues associated with these offences.
The Acting Chief Justice said the effectiveness of judicial institutions depends fundamentally on public trust and confidence and that regional programmes such as this provide valuable opportunities for professional development, knowledge sharing and the strengthening of judicial networks across the Pacific.
Welcoming participants, Justice Teresa Berrigan, Supreme and National Courts of Papua New Guinea, and Judge Administrator of the Fraud and Corruption Track, said fraud and corruption cases remained among the most challenging criminal matters heard by the courts, who must ensure that every matter is determined fairly, independently and in accordance with the law.
The workshop will examine key principles governing fraud and corruption cases, including dishonesty offences such as theft, misappropriation, conspiracy to defraud and forgery, as well as bribery, official corruption and abuse of public office. Particular focus will be given to practical strategies for managing complex fraud and corruption trials, addressing difficult evidentiary issues, structuring judicial reasons and delivering sentence remarks.
Justice Berrigan said understanding money laundering and proceeds of crime matters was particularly important as jurisdictions across the region continue to strengthen their responses to financial crime. The workshop provides an important opportunity to share practical approaches to managing these cases effectively.
Justice Berrigan is the Lead Facilitator of the workshop and is joined by Justice Robert Bromwich of the Federal Court of Australia, Chief Judge Brian Devereaux SC and Judge Vicki Loury of the District Court of Queensland, and Justice Laura Wawun-Kuvi of the Supreme and National Courts of Papua New Guinea, all of whom bring extensive knowledge and experience.
