MEMBERS OF THE COMMISSION

The Chairperson is either a sitting member of the National Parliament who is appointed by the Head of State, acting on advice of the Prime Minister; or a retired judge of the National and Supreme Courts.  The Chairman can also be a person who is eligible for appointment as a Judge to the National and Supreme Courts and is appointed by the Head of State, acting on advice of the Prime Minister, after receiving a report from the Judicial and Legal Services Commission. In the short history of the Commission since 2004, however, only Members of Parliament have been appointed as Chairman of the Commission.

Deputy Chairperson shall be elected by the members of the Commission amongst their own number.

The six (6) prominent members of the Commission are appointed by the Minister for Justice by notice in the National Gazette as follows:

• two serving members of Parliament, each presenting the Government and the Oppostion;

• a person with qualifications and experience in constitutional law;

• a person with qualifications and experience in anthropology, sociology, or political science;

• a person representative the Churches, who is nominated by the Papua New Guinea Council of Churches; and

• and the Executive Dean of the Faculty of Law of the University of Papua New Guinea, who is an ex officio

The Members of the Commission do not make an executive decision which is the prerogative of the Secretary as the Chief Executive Officer and the management team of CLRC. The Members of the Commission can only provide strategic advice and guidance to the CLRC management, based on their specialized knowledge and experience. The guidance and recommendations of the Members of the Commission helps shape the management’s decisions and plans, not just for administration and governance of the CLRC, but also regarding matters about CLRC’s substantive law reform mandate. Members of the Commission normally convey their advice and guidance through quarterly meetings and special meetings. Commissioners also perform a key role in take the lead and presiding in all inquiries and consultations for law review exercises.