Port Vila, 28-10-2026: Ongoing reform efforts at the Office of the Public Solicitor (OPS) have been strengthened with the completion of critical office upgrades and the handover of legal textbooks donated from Australia.
The OPS provides legal advice and representation in criminal, civil and family law cases across the country and plays a key role in protecting human rights. The Office helps ensure access to justice by providing legal representation and advice, particularly those who may otherwise be unable to access legal support.
In recent years, the OPS has advanced a wide-ranging reform program that includes new digital systems, workplace safety upgrades, office and facilities improvements, staff development initiatives, and strengthened operational processes.
This latest handover included infrastructure improvements, new digital equipment and repairs to essential office systems, alongside the latest donation of more than 700 legal textbooks and law reports. Most of these resources were provided by the Victorian Bar Association in partnership with the Australian Government.
The Victorian Bar’s support for Vanuatu’s justice sector already includes high-quality advocacy training delivered in both countries, with the latest training completed just over a week ago. The new legal texts will help the OPS establish law libraries at its Port Vila headquarters and provincial offices.
Together, these investments reflect Australia’s long-term commitment to supporting a stronger, more accessible and more resilient justice sector in Vanuatu.
Welcoming the handover, Public Solicitor (PS) Ms Jane Tari noted the scale and impact of this support. “Today marks an important milestone. Our office is committed to strengthening our systems and improving outcomes for the people we serve across the country, particularly the most vulnerable members of our communities. This means reassessing our approaches and finding better ways to deliver services. Our partnership with Australia has been foundational to this reform effort. The recent years have been a period of action and collaboration, and we now stand ready as an Office to take the next step.”
First Secretary Development at the Australian High Commission, Mr. Dominic Ransan-Cooper, acknowledged OPS’ modernisation efforts and the leadership of PS Jane Tari. He commended the Office’s commitment to improving workplace conditions, digital readiness and professional standards, noting that these upgrades strengthen institutional capacity and the quality of OPS services. “Our long-term partnership with Vanuatu aims to deliver improved policing and justice services to communities across the country, particularly those most vulnerable and in greatest need. We have seen the dedication of OPS staff to delivering fair and timely legal support. From training to infrastructure and digitalisation, we aim to deliver support that enables more efficient and resilient services, and the OPS team is well on the way to achieving these goals.”
As part of its ongoing reform agenda, the OPS has finalised a Consultative and Policy Paper for the Public Solicitor Act 2026. The Office has also strengthened regional cooperation through its twinning partnership with the PNG Public Solicitor’s Office and professional development initiatives, including advocacy training through the Victorian Bar. Together, these efforts support the modernisation of the Office, strengthen accountability and improve access to quality legal services for communities across Vanuatu.
