By GEORGINA MICHAEL
The President of PNG Law Society, Hubert Namani, has urged the law graduates to level up intellectually, professionally and technologically in this digital age.
Mr Namani was speaking at the University of Papua New Guinea’s graduation ceremony for the School of Law.
He reminded graduates were reminded that the event was not just another graduation ceremony, but a defining moment for them, their communities and the nation as they were the first law graduates in the post 50th era of PNG’s Independence.
“That is not merely a milestone, it is a responsibility and each of you has the responsibility and the potential to shape the next chapter of our nation’s story, ”Mr Namani said.
“Reflecting on the theme, Reset UPNG @ 60; Empowering Quality Graduates for a stronger PNG, your milestone is a calling and you’re stepping into it today, entering the profession at a time of profound change.
“You are digital lawyers in a digital age. Today’s legal landscape is changing rapidly, and one of the most significant shifts we are witnessing is the rise of AI-enabled, highly informed clients.”
He explained that clients were no longer passive recipients of legal advice. “They come prepared, data-driven, and often already equipped with preliminary legal insights generated through technology.
“This demands a new standard from the legal profession hence, you are the next generation of lawyers who must level up intellectually, technologically, and professionally.”
Mr Namani emphasized that mastery of the law was no longer enough. “Lawyers must understand how to apply it in a world shaped by data, speed, and digital intelligence, while maintaining the human judgment, ethics, and integrity that no machine can replace.
“Technology can assist you, but it can never replace your judgment, your integrity, or your duty to the Court,” Mr Namani said.