PNG: Contempt lawsuit ‘improper’, media gag

Joshua Arlo
 

PORT MORESBY: A contempt of court law suit against the National Doctors Association was “not properly served” in an issue involving a planned strike and gagging of the media, lawyer Moses Murray has told a Papua New Guinean court.

 

Murray told the National Court that those not properly served included almost all those named in the contempt suit, except the NDA president who was served the contempt charges.

 

The contempt arises from orders from March 25 by Justice Catherine Davani preventing the doctors from going on strike. 

 

They were also prevented from speaking with the media while the proceedings were being brought by Attorney-General Sir Arnold Amet and the state against them. 

 

The state submitted that the seven had been charged with contempt in connection with the substantive proceedings in court. 

 

The state maintained that the defendants were properly served on those present. 

 

Even though they refused to sign the legal documents when served, they had, through their lawyer from Kange Lawyers, signed and received service.

 

The NDA is seeking to dismiss the contempt proceedings due to non-service of six of the accused. 

 

NDA claims that the process of service was not done properly and also dispute the way in which the charges have been laid. - PNG Post-Courier/Pacific Media Watch