Papua New Guinea makes it relatively easy to check whether a lawyer is entitled to practise. The Papua New Guinea Law Society publishes an online register of lawyers, a register of law firms, and a periodically updated list of practising certificate holders. This guide explains how the profession is regulated, what the different certificate types mean, how to use the official tools, and what to ask before instructing a firm in Port Moresby, Lae or elsewhere.
The legal system in brief
Papua New Guinea has a common law system inherited from Britain and Australia, with customary law recognised as part of the "underlying law". Under the Underlying Law Act 2000, where no statute applies, courts look to customary norms before common-law doctrine (Federal Judicial Center, Judiciaries Worldwide, checked 10 October 2026).
The courts run from the Supreme Court, the final court of appeal, to the National Court, then the District Courts and the Village Courts (PNG Judiciary; Judiciaries Worldwide). Customary and land-related disputes can therefore involve different forums from commercial litigation, which affects the type of lawyer a client needs.
Who regulates lawyers in Papua New Guinea?
The profession is regulated by the Papua New Guinea Law Society under the Lawyers Act 1986. Key points (PNG Law Society, checked 10 October 2026):
- Practising certificates: the Law Society's Council grants practising certificates in two types, Restricted (RPC) and Unrestricted (UPC).
- Offence to practise without one: practising without a certificate is an offence under section 35 of the Lawyers Act 1986.
- Discipline: the Lawyers Statutory Committee, established under section 48, investigates complaints and can fine, suspend, or recommend that a lawyer be struck off the Roll.
- Title: the Lawyers Act and the Law Society use the term "lawyer".
Restricted and unrestricted certificates
When checking a lawyer, note which certificate type they hold. The register lets users filter by certificate type, UPC or RPC, and the Law Society's practising certificate page explains the categories. As a practical matter, clients who want to instruct a lawyer in private practice should confirm with the lawyer, and if needed with the Law Society, that the certificate they hold permits them to act in the way proposed. Rather than assuming what each category allows, ask the lawyer to explain their certificate and how it applies to the matter.
The official tools
Find a Registered Lawyer
- What it is: an online register on the PNG Law Society website.
- How to search: filters for employer, province and certificate type (UPC or RPC).
- Best used for: confirming a named individual is registered and identifying their employer.
Find a Registered Law Firm
- What it is: a separate online register of law firms on the Law Society website.
- How to search: by firm details on the Law Society website.
- Best used for: confirming that a firm you are dealing with is registered.
Updated 2026 PC Holders List
- What it is: a PDF list of practising certificate holders published by the Law Society on 6 October 2026.
- How to search: by name within the PDF.
- Best used for: a dated snapshot. It records 1,590 lawyers as at 5 October 2026, of whom 1,127 held RPCs and 463 held UPCs (PNG Law Society, Updated 2026 PC Holders List).
A step framework for checking a PNG lawyer
- Get the full name and firm. Ask the lawyer for their full name as registered and the registered name of their firm.
- Search the register. Use Find a Registered Lawyer to confirm the person appears and note their certificate type and employer.
- Cross-check the PC holders list. Confirm the name appears on the current year's practising certificate holders list. Lists are snapshots, so a lawyer certified after the list date may not yet appear; if in doubt, contact the Law Society.
- Check the firm. Use Find a Registered Law Firm to confirm the firm is registered.
- Agree terms in writing. Ask for an engagement letter setting out scope, fees and the responsible lawyer.
- Know the complaint route. Complaints about conduct go to the Lawyers Statutory Committee through the Law Society.
Practical tips for overseas clients
Clients outside Papua New Guinea often deal with a firm entirely by email. Before paying a retainer, confirm the lawyer's registration yourself rather than relying on a screenshot, and verify the firm's bank details by a second channel, such as a phone call to a number found independently. Keep in mind that names can be spelled differently across documents, so search the register using surname and province as well as the full name. If a lawyer says they were certified after the date of the most recent list, that may be correct, but it is reasonable to ask the Law Society to confirm.
Where the matter involves customary land, ask whether the lawyer has experience with the relevant forums, since the court route for land and customary disputes can differ from ordinary commercial litigation.
Choosing a law firm in Papua New Guinea
Most firms are in Port Moresby, where the higher courts and government agencies sit, with others in Lae and provincial centres. Foreign investors commonly need advice on company registration, resources and energy projects, land, employment and dispute resolution. Ask any firm which lawyer will handle the matter, how often the firm handles this type of work, and whether court appearances will be needed. Searches for the "top law firms in PNG" return many lists, but no official ranking exists; the Law Society register confirms entitlement to practise, not quality.
Global Law Lists publishes a list of law firms in Papua New Guinea and a Papua New Guinea law firms page as part of its international legal network. Use them as a starting point, then verify each lawyer through the Law Society tools described above.
Disclosure: Global Law Lists operates the international legal network and law firm lists linked in this article. Listed firms may hold paid memberships; how listings are checked and ordered is explained in the verification methodology.
Frequently asked questions
How do I check if a lawyer is registered in Papua New Guinea?
Search the PNG Law Society's Find a Registered Lawyer register and cross-check the current practising certificate holders list. If the name does not appear, contact the Law Society.
How many lawyers hold practising certificates in PNG in 2026?
The Law Society's Updated 2026 PC Holders List, published 6 October 2026, records 1,590 lawyers as at 5 October 2026: 1,127 with restricted and 463 with unrestricted certificates.
What are RPC and UPC?
They are the two types of practising certificate granted by the Law Society's Council: Restricted Practising Certificate and Unrestricted Practising Certificate.
Which are the top law firms in PNG?
There is no official ranking. The Law Society register confirms who may practise. Choose a firm by checking registration, relevant experience and the lawyer who will handle the matter.
Where do I complain about a lawyer in PNG?
The Lawyers Statutory Committee, established under section 48 of the Lawyers Act 1986, investigates complaints.
Sources
- Lawyers Act 1986 (including ss. 35 and 48), Papua New Guinea Law Society, checked 10 October 2026.
- Practising Certificates; Lawyers Statutory Committee; Find a Registered Lawyer; Find a Registered Law Firm, Papua New Guinea Law Society, checked 10 October 2026.
- Updated 2026 PC Holders List, Papua New Guinea Law Society, published 6 October 2026.
- Papua New Guinea Judiciary, official website, checked 10 October 2026.
- Judiciaries Worldwide: Papua New Guinea, Federal Judicial Center, checked 10 October 2026.
This article is general information, not legal advice. Laws and procedures change; confirm the current position with a qualified lawyer in the relevant jurisdiction.