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Law Series
Every article, organised by subject. Fifteen areas covering the law that most often affects people directly. Articles on the Constitution have their own home — see the Constitution page.
Criminal law
Full series on bail, on arrest and on search and seizure: police powers, warrants, your rights on arrest, the grounds for refusing bail, and suing over an unlawful search or arrest.
Browse this topic → 60 articlesEmployment law
Contracts of service, wages and the minimum wage, hours and leave, notice periods, summary dismissal, unlawful termination and final pay.
Browse this topic → 15 articlesLand and property
Customary land and who really holds it, Incorporated Land Groups, State leases and titles, the Land Courts, compulsory acquisition and renting.
Browse this topic → New seriesEnvironment law
The Environment Act 2000: the general environmental duty, environment permits and impact assessment, rights over water, and enforcement.
Browse this topic → New seriesMining law
The Mining Act 1992: who owns the minerals, exploration licences and mining leases, landowner rights, compensation and royalties.
Browse this topic → New seriesCompany law
The Companies Act 1997, the Insolvency Act (Chapter 253) and the Investment Promotion Act 1992: forming a company, shares and shareholders, directors and their duties, records and reporting, charges, amalgamations, receivership, liquidation, removal from the register, overseas companies, offences, personal insolvency, and certification of foreign investment.
Browse this topic → New seriesCopyright
The Copyright and Neighbouring Rights Act 2000: what copyright protects, economic and moral rights, how long they last, what you may do without permission, the rights of performers, producers and broadcasters, enforcement, and expressions of folklore.
Browse this topic → New seriesPolice
The Police Act 1998 and the Police Force (Presence Abroad) Act 2004: how the Royal Papua New Guinea Constabulary is composed, the office and powers of the Commissioner, the discipline system and its offences and penalties, appointment, promotion, demotion and retirement, the Reserve Constabulary and auxiliaries, the offences that protect the Force, and service abroad.
Browse this topic → New seriesCybercrime
The Cybercrime Code Act 2016: hacking, interception, data and system interference, electronic fraud and forgery, identity theft, child protection offences, defamatory publication, cyber bullying, harassment and extortion, police search and investigation powers, and the liability of ICT service providers.
Browse this topic → 50 articlesTrade marks
The Trade Marks Act (Chapter 385): what can be registered, how to apply, opposition, infringement, assignment and losing a mark.
Browse this topic → 10 articlesFamily law
The adoption series: what adoption is, customary adoption and Local Court certificates, who may adopt, consent and when it can be dispensed with, what an adoption order changes, and adoption from overseas.
Browse this topic → 10 articlesWills and inheritance
The Public Trustee series: deceased estates, orders to administer, executors and administrators, claiming a debt from an estate, missing persons’ property, delays and unclaimed money.
Browse this topic → 65 articlesBusiness and commercial law
The associations series: fifty-five questions on incorporating and running a church, club, NGO or landowner association under the Associations Incorporation Act 2023, with the prescribed forms. Plus the ten-part stamp duty series on conveyances, leases, share transfers, assessments, objections and refunds.
Browse this topic → Where to startCivil claims and court procedure
Which court has jurisdiction, starting a claim, evidence and proof, recovering money owed, reading a judgment, appeals and enforcement — signposted to the court sections, where the detailed guides live.
Where to start → New seriesPersonal injury – MVIL
Motor vehicle accident claims: compulsory third party insurance, Motor Vehicles Insurance Limited (MVIL), the notice you must give before suing, the time limits, who can claim after an injury or a death, and how the courts assess compensation.
Browse this topic → New seriesUnit trust
Unit trusts and managed investment schemes under the Capital Market Act 2015 and the Securities Commission Act 2015: how to invest and withdraw, the trustee’s duties, registration and the trust deed, prospectuses, licensing, the Securities Commission’s powers, market misconduct and the Pacific Balance Fund cases.
Browse this topic →Prefer a single list? See all articles. Looking for a quick answer? Try the frequently asked questions. Not sure what a word means? The glossary explains the terms used in PNG courts and documents.