Barristers from the Victorian Bar deliver workshop to over 40 MJCS legal professionals

PORT VILA, MARCH 25: Legal experts from Vanuatu and Australia are joining forces this week to boost courtroom skills and strengthen justice services across the country. Over 40 participants from Ministry of Justice and Community Services (MJCS) agencies will receive training and advice from a team of barristers from Australia’s Victorian Bar during a 3-day Appellant Advocacy workshop in Port Vila.

Opening the workshop on behalf of the MJCS was Supreme Court Chief Justice Vincent Lunabek who welcomed participants and shared some of his observations on the importance of an appellant case stating, “Lawyers need to know their client’s case. This requires thorough preparation. Preparedness of both written and oral presentation is an inevitable priority in enhancing the prospect for a successful outcome.”

The Australia supported training aims to support the work of legal advocates acting on behalf of both parties in criminal and civil cases. Speaking also at the kick-off event, Australian High Commission's Political Counsellor Laura Frech Cardenas spoke about the collaboration as a symbol of Australia’s partnership with Vanuatu to support MJCS agencies to deliver improved services, strengthen the rule of law and protect human rights. "These peer-to-peer learning opportunities are a key pillar of the Australia-Vanuatu partnership, by improving the skills and knowledge of the legal fraternity, we improve the quality of justice delivered to the people of Vanuatu.”

In a further demonstration of the MJCS’s commitment to the workshop and increasing capacity across its agencies, the training will see Supreme Court Hon. Justice Viran Trief share her experience and expertise as a co-facilitator, as well as the attendance of senior figures from the Office of the Public Prosecutor, Public Solicitor’s Office, State Law Office, the Ombudsman’s Office, the Vanuatu Woman’s Centre and other MJCS agencies.

The Victorian Bar has been a well-established partner to Vanuatu for nearly 30 years - delivering its first advocacy workshops in 1995 and advising and assisting with respect to matters related to the provision of advocacy training ever since. 

The workshop runs from 25 – 27 March and Australia is also supporting a number of participants from the provinces to attend in Port Vila.