Port Moresby, 07 May 2026 – The Constitutional and Law Reform Commission (CLRC), under its Colonial Laws Review Program (CLRP), has conducted a comprehensive stakeholder workshop to review the Wills Probate & Administration Act 1966 and the Insolvency Act 1951.
The review of these two pieces legislation falls squarely within CLRC’s mandate under the CLRC Act 2004, which requires the Commission to examine pre-Independence laws and assess their relevance, effectiveness, and suitability in contemporary Papua New Guinea.
Both Acts have been in force for over five decades and are colonial in origin. The Wills Probate & Administration Act 1966 serves as the foundational law governing succession in Papua New Guinea, providing legal mechanisms for the transfer of property from a deceased person to beneficiaries or appointed individuals under both testate and intestate succession.
Similarly, the Insolvency Act 1951, which has its origins in the Insolvency Ordinance 1912, provides for the administration and distribution of the estates of insolvent debtors among creditors, as well as release of such debtors from their liabilities.
Despite their continued application since Independence in 1975, both Acts have not undergone substantial reform to reflect the evolving legal, social, and economic realities of Papua New Guinea.
During the workshop, CLRC identified and presented a number of key issues for stakeholder deliberation, including outdated terminology; provisions referencing colonial administrative structures; obsolete figures such as rates, fees, and timeframes; overly verbose provisions; policy gaps; and sections that have been overtaken by amendments to related legislation.
As part of the Commission’s consultative approach to law reform, key stakeholders and implementing agencies were invited to provide views and recommendations to inform the review process. Participants included the Department of Justice and Attorney General, BSP Financial Group Limited, the Public Solicitor’s Office, Kina Bank, the National and Supreme Courts, the Office of the Public Trustee, and the CLRC team.
Stakeholders provided valuable insights and practical perspectives that will guide the Commission in formulating relevant and effective law reform recommendations.
CLRC Secretary Dr. Mange Matui highlighted the importance of the review process and the Commission’s ongoing efforts to modernise Papua New Guinea’s legal framework.
“As society evolves, our laws must evolve with it. This is why we are undertaking the review of these pre-independence laws.”
He added, “Our laws must also align with current national policies and development priorities.”
Dr. Matui further acknowledged the critical role of stakeholders in the reviewing of these colonial laws.
“CLRC cannot undertake this task in isolation. Your participation ensures that our reviews are comprehensive, practical, and reflective of the realities on the ground.”
He noted that more than 300 colonial laws remain subject to review, and since 2022, the Commission has reviewed a significant number of them with support from implementing agencies. While acknowledging the magnitude of the task, Dr. Matui reaffirmed the Commission’s commitment to continuing its engagement with stakeholders.
The ongoing review of pre-independence laws is aimed at ensuring that Papua New Guinea’s legal framework reflects national values and aligns with the aspirations of the National Goals and Directive Principles, as set out in the Preamble of the Constitution of Papua New Guinea.
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