𝗦𝗼𝗹𝗼𝗺𝗼𝗻 𝗜𝘀𝗹𝗮𝗻𝗱𝘀, 𝗔𝘂𝘀𝘁𝗿𝗮𝗹𝗶𝗮, 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗣𝗡𝗚 𝗖𝗼𝘂𝗿𝘁𝘀 𝗦𝘁𝗿𝗲𝗻𝗴𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗻 𝗝𝘂𝗱𝗶𝗰𝗶𝗮𝗹 𝗧𝗶𝗲𝘀

The High Court of Solomon Islands, the Federal Court of Australia, and the National and Supreme Court of Papua New Guinea (PNG) have formalized their long-standing legal cooperation by signing two new Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs).

The agreements were signed by Chief Justice Sir Albert Palmer of the Solomon Islands, Chief Justice Debra Mortimer of Australia, and Chief Justice Sir Gibuna Gibbs Salika of PNG.

Chief Justice Albert Palmer presenting a gift to Chief Justice Debra Mortimer 

The MoUs aim to strengthen judicial collaboration, promote legal training, and enhance professional development opportunities across the three nations.

With shared values in legal traditions, democracy, and the rule of law, Solomon Islands, Australia, and PNG have reaffirmed their commitment to building a stronger and more effective justice system.

Australia’s High Commissioner to Solomon Islands, His Excellency Rod Hilton, said our national courts play a critical role in a safe, prosperous, peaceful region.

“Australia is proud to partner with Solomon Islands and PNG in moving towards this common goal,” High Commissioner Hilton said.

“We believe that when justice thrives, communities prosper. When courts are strong, people have faith in the justice system. Working together makes the future brighter for everyone in our Pacific family.”

“We look forward to enhancing the decades-long relationship between our legal systems through this Memorandum of Understanding, which will see new training, mentoring, and fellowship opportunities, but most importantly, lasting connections and enduring capability.” 

The agreements will facilitate new training, mentoring, and fellowship programs for judicial officers and legal professionals. Beyond capacity-building, the partnerships seek to create enduring connections between the courts of the three countries.

The MoUs are expected to strengthen the professional networks between judicial institutions, fostering knowledge exchange and best practices. This initiative is part of broader regional efforts to improve legal systems, uphold the rule of law, and ensure access to justice for Pacific communities.

By deepening these legal ties, the three nations reinforce their commitment to a fair and effective judiciary, further strengthening governance and stability in the region.

Media Release | AHC