by Vasinatta Yama – EM TV, Port Moresby
The Judicial Legal Services Commission (JLSC) today swore in retired Australian Judge, Justice Terence Higgins, as a new National and Supreme Court Judge.
He will be posted to Kokopo and will serve until his retirement, in 2018.
The swearing-in took place at the government house and was witnessed by Governor General, Sir Michael Ogio, and Chief Justice, Sir Salamo Injia.
Justice Terence Higgins’ appointment brings the total number of Judges in the National and Supreme Courts to 33. He is the most senior retired non-citizen judge and the sixth non-citizen judge serving the bench in PNG.
Prior to his appointment, he served as Chief Justice of the Australian Capital Territory for 10 years, retiring in September, 2012. Sir Salamo Injia says the judiciary is embarking on a program to recruit experienced lawyers and former judges, of the Commonwealth Jurisdiction, to serve in PNG.
He said the judiciary stands to gain immensely from Justice Higgins’ experience.
Justice Higgins will be based in Kokopo as its third resident judge to fill the gap of an experienced civil judge in the New Guinea Islands.
Today, in front of Governor General Sir Michael Ogio, he signed the documents and promised to be truthful in serving the JLSC.
Meanwhile, Sir Salamo said seats are open for citizens and non-citizens to apply for a judiciary post.
