February 26, 2025, 3:04 am
The countries of the Pacific Islands have individual legal systems reflecting their own unique colonial and post-colonial history and the endeavors to integrate custom and customary legal concepts into contemporary law. While there are many similarities across countries, countries differ in the extent that customary law and introduced law have accommodated each other.
Supporting these distinct legal systems presents challenges in many respects, not least because of limited judicial workforce. Local judicial officers have been supplemented by "visiting" officers, particularly from Australia and New Zealand. Ensuring these "visiting" judicial officers acquire an understanding of the role of customary law in the relevant country is critical for effective support.
The Honourable Paul de Jersey AC CVO KC discusses the significance of Australian and New Zealand judicial support for Pacific nations.
Content Creator – Australian Institute of International Affairs
