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Civil claims and court procedure
How a dispute becomes a case: which court has power to hear it, what you have to prove, how a judgment is enforced, and how appeals work.
Most civil matters are not won by clever argument. They are won by the person who wrote things down, kept the receipt, sent the letter, met the deadline and turned up on the day. That is the running theme of this topic.
The detailed procedural guides for civil claims live under Go to Court, organised by the court that hears the matter rather than by subject. Start with the court your case is in.
The National Court — 260 questions and answers on practice and procedure: starting a proceeding, parties, service, pleadings, discovery, interlocutory applications, trial, judgments, enforcement and costs, plus judicial review, human rights, mediation and election petitions.
The Supreme Court — appeals and reviews: whether you need leave, the time limits, the notice of appeal, the appeal book, the hearing and costs.
The District Court — the court most people actually use, for claims within the money limit.
The Local Land Court — where a dispute about customary land is decided, after mediation.
The Legal Index sets out the leading Papua New Guinea authorities by subject — including default judgment and dismissal, pleadings and particulars, assessment of damages, costs, judicial review and notice of a claim against the State.
For the words used in court documents, see the glossary. If you are not sure which court your matter belongs in, start at Go to Court.