Forum concern over missing Court Files

Forum concern over missing Court Files

The PNG Eco-Forestry Forum is concerned about the security of court files at the National and Supreme Court Registries in Waigani.

It is raising this concern after one of its Court Files at the National Court Registry in Waigani on a major case involving the alleged questionable awarding of a logging concession in the country was discovered missing thus making it difficult for the Forum to comply with a recent National Court order in its favour.

The Forum said that this is not the first time files have gone missing at the National Court Registry in Waigani as similar incidences also occurred in the past where Court Files relating to similar court cases pursued by environmental NGOs had gone missing. “This really is a cause for concern as it actually puts into question the security at the National Court Registry.

Something serious needs to be done to address this situation as it also questions the integrity of our higher court system in so far as protection and safe-keeping of files is concerned,” says the Forum.

The Forum has made and continues to make attempts to locate the file, through its lawyers however the National Court Registry cannot locate the file. “We cannot afford to have Court Files go missing like that as Court proceedings are a very costly and lengthy exercise and the least we expect from the National Court Registry is the safe keeping of all court files,” adds the Forum.

While raising the concern, the Forum is also calling on the National Court Registry to immediately take stringent measures to improve their security systems as that is the only place where all important and confidential documents relating to court cases are kept.

ENDS

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