Village Courts (Amendment) Act 2014 (No. 7 of 2014).

This Act makes several amendments in the principal Act. It inserts new Sections 2A - objects of the Act and 2B - principles of Village Court. The objectives of the principal Act listed in new Section 2A include but not limited to: peaceful customary mediation and conflict resolution processes; fair settlement of disputes by Village Courts; access for women to Village Courts; access to justice for all Papua New Guineans; and consistency with the basic rights guaranteed in the Constitution. Subsection (3) is inserted into Section 3 regarding the responsibilities of the Village Courts Secretariat while performing its duties. New Section 14A is inserted which specifies the number of Village Court Officials. Section 16 on the appointment of Village Magistrates is amended by adding the requirement that one of whom must be a woman. This Act also inserts new Sections 16A and 16B on the criteria and time for recommendations as to appointment of Village Magistrates; Section 18A on the period of appointment of Village Magistrates, Chairman and Deputy Chairman; Section 19A on the review of performance of Village Magistrate; Sections 40A and 40B regarding referral to a dispute or matter that involves a child by the Village Court and restriction of publication of proceedings; and Sections 111A - record of order of the Village Court, 111B - delegation of Minister's powers or functions to the Director, and 111C on national standards on training, inspection and reporting.
This Act makes amendments in Section 17 as regards the appointment of at least one woman as a Village Magistrate for each Village Court; Section 20 on the terms and conditions for revocation of appointment of Village Magistrate; Section 21 as regards the reinstatement of suspended Village Magistrate; Section 22 on the appointment of Village Court Clerk; Section 26 on the appointment of Village Peace Officers for each Village Court; Section 28 on the general functions and duties of Village Peace Officers; Section 41 on extent of jurisdiction; Section 42 on penalties; Section 45 on orders for compensation, damages and debt; Section 48 on the limits of civil jurisdiction; Section 51 on preventive orders; Section 53 on exercise of mediatory jurisdiction; Section 57 on the application of custom; Section 58 on general law; Section 59 on evidence; Section 68 on endorsement of order for imprisonment; Section 74 relating to penalty for the failure to obey the order of the Village Court to pay compensation, damages and debt; and Section 92 on decision on appeal.