Prospective Students | All Students |
Alumni | StaffThe School has two strands, the Law Strand and the Legal Clinical Programs (LCP) Strand. The Law Strand is responsible for the teaching of substantive law courses and programs whilst the LCP Strand is responsible for the teaching, development and administration of procedural and applied legal courses and programs, like the Diploma in Law (Prosecutions) (DLP) program. However, both strands are responsible for teaching all courses in the LLB degree and the LL.M (part course work and thesis) degree programs. Supervision for the PhD is also the School's responsibility in conjunction with the Centre for Research and Post Graduate Studies.
Being the only Law School in the country, the School has graduated the majority of lawyers practising in PNG. There are also a significant number of lawyers practicing in the Solomon Islands and Vanuatu who have graduated from the Law School.
To be eligible for admission, one must have obtained a minimum GPA of 2.75 with a “B” in English and no “D” grade in any other subject of study taken at Grade 12 or such other matriculation program. Selections begin with the highest GPA presented and progress downwards until the quota is filled. Often the minimum GPA of 2.75 is not reached because of the limited number of only 50 – 60 places for fresh intakes.
The program is spread over a four-year period. Students must complete 36 courses, which comprise of 19 compulsory law courses, 9 optional law courses and 8 enrichment courses, and must score an aggregate GPA of 1.75 to be awarded a degree. The compulsory courses cover both substantive and procedural aspects of law. During the final year of study, all students are required to complete and submit a Major Research Paper of up to 20,000 words, where this is designed to expose students to writing up a topic after conducting individual research with minimal supervision by a staff supervisor. The optional or elective units are usually law options. However, students are also encouraged to take up to eight (8) non-law courses, comprising of 4 compulsory enrichment courses, 2 non-law school courses and 2 non-law elective courses from other Schools as part of the enrichment component of the degree program and in accordance with the spirit of the now implemented University restructure.
The Law School has adopted a System of Classifying the LL.B degree. A student who has obtained good grades throughout the study program will be awarded an Honours degree at the completion of her or his LL.B studies in the following 3 classes:
| Honours | Percentage Grade | GPA |
| 1st Class | 85 - 100% | 3.75+ |
| 2nd Class Division 1 | 75 - 84% | 2.75 - 3.74 |
| 2nd Class Division 2 | 65 - 74% | 2.45 - 2.74 |
| Pass (D Average) | 50 - 64% | 1.75 - 2.44 |
This diploma targets people in the workforce handling work that involves investigations, compliance monitoring and enforcement, prosecution and such work that involves the application of law. Policemen, investigators, judicial staff, health inspectors and such others are the targeted group.
Generally, applicants are expected to have matriculated with a GPA of 2.75 and must have gained some relevant work experience in the above stated work environments, over at least two (2) years. Presently, only 20 places are allowed and preference is given to applicants with suitable work experience and background. Selection also begins with the highest GPA presented.
The program is usually spread over a period of two years. To be eligible to graduate, a candidate must complete ten (10) compulsory DLP courses; two options in the LL.B program and the requisite Enrichment Studies course offered in the first year.
The Master of Laws Program is open to a person with an honours degree in law, or a person who has been admitted to practice law as a Barrister and Solicitor and who has appropriate degrees or professional qualifications. The LL.M degree can either be by thesis only or part thesis and course work.
