THE Autonomous Region of Bougainville has completed a major transfer of its grassroots justice system, bringing 642 Village Courts and land mediation positions under the control of the Autonomous Bougainville Government (ABG).
The move is the first large-scale function transfer under the Shaping Bougainville Justice Program, aimed at strengthening locally led justice services through new laws, institutional development, and sustainable funding.
Responsibility for Village Courts and land mediation services has shifted from the Papua New Guinea national government to the ABG’s Department of Justice and Legal Services (DJLS). The transfer covers 506 Community Court positions and 136 Land Mediation positions, now fully administered and paid through ABG systems.
Officials confirmed payroll migration has been completed, with officers already receiving their first payments under the new arrangements. The transition also included workforce verification, system integration, and ongoing audits to ensure continuity of services.
DJLS Director of Corporate Services Julianne Sapaka said the milestone reflects Bougainville’s growing capacity to manage its own justice system.
“This is a proud moment for Bougainville. It shows we are ready to manage our own justice services and that the systems needed to support local officials and communities are now being strengthened,” she said.
The transition was carried out jointly by ABG and Papua New Guinea government officials, with support from Australia through the Australia–PNG Law and Justice Partnership (APLJ). Assistance included planning, payroll migration, coordination, and technical support to ensure uninterrupted services.
Officials say the successful transfer will guide future handovers of government functions as Bougainville continues expanding its administrative autonomy and strengthening community-level justice services.