Activities

Under its two objectives, the Partnership will plan, organise and deliver the following range of regional and bilateral in-person and remote activities.

Objective 1 - Supporting resilience and quality Pacific judicial services

Co-facilitating annual Chief Justices’ Leadership Forum (CJLF).

The CJLF is an annual forum of the Chief Justices of the 15 Pacific Island Nation courts established to discuss regional judicial challenges and progress as well as to agree on priority focus areas for ongoing collaboration. It provides a valuable opportunity for regional judicial leadership, sharing of experiences and best practices across different countries and contexts and an opportunity for the Federal Court to contribute expertise and support. Topics discussed during CJLF meetings range from issues of court administration, judicial independence, new and emerging legal issues and challenges and the increased use of technology in judicial proceedings. Regional Coordination Meetings take place on the sidelines of the CJLF involving the Federal Court, key donors and regional actors and regional representatives from the judiciaries in Polynesia, Micronesia and Melanesia.

Co-supporting annual meetings of the Pacific Association of Women Judicial Officers (PAWJO).

The aim of PAWJO is to promote gender competent and gender responsive Pacific Courts and empower Pacific women judicial officers to obtain opportunities for professional development, mentoring and collaboration. PAWJO also prioritises issues of access to justice for women and provides well-being and support for female judicial officers. As only an estimated 18 percent of judges in superior courts across the Pacific are female, PAWJO’s work in this area is key to ensuring a diverse judiciary which properly and proportionately represents all segments of the community. The APJP program is pleased to contribute to PAWJO’s important work through a targeted mentoring program for female judicial officers throughout the region.

Facilitating 3 regional workshops to discuss and address complex and emerging issues.

As Pacific judiciaries and courts face new challenges, it is increasingly important to create opportunities for courts in the region to identify common challenges and brainstorm on possible solutions. Regional workshops provide this opportunity for courts to prioritise issues and meet on a regular basis to develop appropriate approaches and strategies. Challenges faced by courts are magnified by limited resources, rapidly developing technology, remote locations, regional pressures and the impact of climate change on island communities.

Conducting biannual regional webinars supporting gender diversity and competence.

Mentoring female judges to achieve more senior judicial positions.