Judicial structure
The High Court resolves constitutional disputes and supplies final appellate authority under the 1949 settlement. Federal courts hear matters assigned by national law. State and territorial courts handle ordinary civil and criminal proceedings, with local access supported by circuit sittings, translated services and funded legal administration.
Restoration accountability
High Court supervised provincial tribunals investigated and tried the uprising's leaders after the main armed campaign ended in April 1946. Their remit covered killings, detention and armed seizure, with judicial supervision over procedure and review. Dixon was convicted and executed. Approximately 2,500 officials and civilians died across the uprising and repression; the figure does not assign every death to the CPA. Lawful union activity remained distinguishable from participation in armed violence.
Rights and service rules
Equal legal protection covers every ancestry and sexual orientation. Service-linked franchise and adult benefits, the criminalisation of total service refusal and the homelessness laws remain statutory restrictions. Courts review evidence, lawful authority and eligibility decisions; extensive public provision does not eliminate the coercive parts of the legal system.
The 2016 constitutional test
During the Network Crisis, the High Court refused to certify grounds for removing the government. Operational disruption alone did not satisfy the constitutional conditions. Cabinet retained responsibility for recovery while Parliament examined procurement and assurance failures.
Territorial legal institutions
Customary land arrangements and local language services operate within the common equal-rights framework. Statehood requires capable institutions, but territories do not lose access to courts while awaiting promotion. Papua New Guinea, West Papua and Bougainville retain separate local administrations and legal institutions.