Memorandum of Understanding Signing
Media release
18 February 2025
The Federal Court of Australia is proud to announce that on 17 February 2025, Chief Justice Debra Mortimer signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Chief Justice of the Supreme and National Courts of Papua New Guinea, Sir Gibbs Salika, and Solomon Islands High Court Chief Justice, Sir Albert Palmer, further strengthening the relationship between Australia and the Pacific region.
The Federal Court has collaborated with Papua New Guinea and the Solomon Islands on judicial training and support programs since 2001 and 2004 respectively. These programs have been funded over the years by DFAT and the three Chief Justices today expressed their gratitude to DFAT for its continued commitment to these programs.
In addition to collaborating on a number of bilateral activities, both countries participated in the Federal Court’s regional programs comprising the Interim Regional Judicial Development Program (2004–05); Pacific Judicial Development Program, phase 1 (2006–08); Promoting Mediation Across the Pacific (2006–08); Pacific Judicial Development Program phase II (2010–15); Pacific Judicial Strengthening Initiative (2016–21); and the Pacific Judicial Integrity Program (2022–25).
The areas the Courts will collaborate on under the new MOUs align with the priorities articulated by both Chief Justices and aim to promote the quality and efficiency of justice, according to principles of judicial independence and the rule of law. Activities under the MOUs include a blend of judicial and staff fellowships to the Federal Court, and visits to our partner countries maximising the reach of the Court’s areas of expertise among both judiciaries.
Solomon Islands MOU
The first MOU with the Solomon Islands High Court occurred in 2018, under which the Federal Court worked with the Solomon Islands judiciary towards self-administration, and capacity building in the Solomon Islands Magistrates Court, with an emphasis on efficiency and effective use of judicial time. Under the new MOU, the Courts will collaborate on a variety of issues including judicial capacity building; e-filing and digitisation; mediation and case management.
Papua New Guinea MOU
In November 2009, the Federal Court and the Supreme and National Courts of Papua New Guinea first signed a five-year MOU on judicial cooperation. They have been close judicial partners ever since. The most recent MOU saw the Federal Court formally partnering with the Papua New Guinea Centre for Judicial Excellence to deliver the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade funded Pacific Judicial Integrity Program. Pursuant to the new MOU, the Courts will collaborate on issues including building judicial capacity; case management; and promoting gender equity among judges.
