LW111: Courts And Dispute Resolution I

This course considers the different levels of dispute resolution in the South Pacific, taking into account official and unofficial ways of resolving conflict. It looks at courts, court hierarchies; the jurisdiction, history and structure of courts in the South Pacific and the use of juries as deciders of fact. The course also considers those who are involved in the courts, such as magistrates, judges, prosecutors etc.; how trials take place and principles concerning judicial decision-making. An important part of the course deals with quasi judicial bodies and the resolution of disputes apart from the courts, such as the role of chiefs, reconciliation ceremonies, mediation etc.