Law of the Independent State of Papua New Guinea
Law matters.
Papua New Guinean law explained in plain language — the Constitution, your rights, the courts, land, work and family. Written for people who are not lawyers, with the Act named so you can check it yourself.
Recent articles
The latest additions to the library. See all articles →
Bail in PNG, in five parts
What bail is, who can grant it, the ten grounds for refusing it, how to apply again after a refusal, and what money and guarantors really commit you to.
Start the series → Criminal lawWhy was my bail refused?
The only ten grounds in section 9 of the Bail Act, and what Fred Keating v The State decided about the court’s discretion.
Read the article → New series · Constitutional lawThe Constitution, question by question
One hundred plain-language answers to the questions people actually ask about the supreme law — rights, Parliament, the courts, citizenship, the Leadership Code and emergency powers.
Open the Constitution page →Browse by topic
Eight subject areas covering the law that most often affects people directly. See all topics →
Constitutional rights
The supreme law, question by question — the Basic Rights, Parliament, the courts, citizenship, the Leadership Code and emergency powers.
100 articles →Criminal law
Search, arrest, police powers, bail, committal and suing over an unlawful search or arrest.
25 articles →Employment law
Contracts, wages, leave, notice, dismissal and unlawful termination.
60 articles →Land and property
Customary land, State leases, titles, and the courts that decide land disputes.
115 articles →Family law
Adoption — customary and statutory — consent, adoption orders and adopting from overseas.
210 articles →Wills and inheritance
Deceased estates, orders to administer, and the role and duties of the Public Trustee.
10 articles →Business and commercial law
Stamp duty on conveyances, leases and share transfers, assessments, objections and refunds.
10 articles →Civil claims and court procedure
Which court to use, recovering money owed, evidence, appeals and enforcement.
Where to start →All topics
The full index of subject areas, with every article listed under each.
Browse topics →Regular series
Three running series, each with its own approach.
Law Series
Every guide on the site, organised by subject — from what the law is and where it comes from, through to the procedure in each court. Start here if you are starting from scratch.
Browse the series → SeriesCases Explained
Judgments of the National and Supreme Courts in ordinary language: what happened, what was decided, why it matters, and what it does not decide.
Enter the series → SeriesKnow Your Rights
Practical guidance for common situations involving police, employers, landlords and government authorities — and what to do when a right is breached.
Enter the series →Common questions
Short answers, each linking to the full article. See all questions →
Police have arrested me. What am I entitled to?
Section 42 of the Constitution requires that a person who is arrested or detained be told promptly, in a language they understand, of the reasons and of any charge. You must be permitted to communicate without delay with a lawyer and with a relative or friend, and you must be brought before a court without delay.
Which court do I go to?
It depends on the size and type of the dispute. Village Courts mediate local disputes using custom. District Courts handle smaller civil claims, summary offences and committals. The National Court is the main trial court. The Supreme Court is the final court of appeal.
Someone wants to buy our customary land. Can they?
Customary land is held by clans and kinship groups, not by individuals with a title deed, and generally cannot simply be sold to an outsider. Dealings run through mechanisms such as an Incorporated Land Group or a lease–leaseback, and need the informed agreement of the landowning group.
My employer sacked me without notice. What does the law say?
The Employment Act sets minimum standards for contracts of service, notice periods, leave and wages. An employer may end a contract without notice only in the limited circumstances the Act allows.