Justice Minister Clezy Rore outlines legal reforms, judiciary independence and improved access to justice nationwide
MINISTER for Justice and Legal Affairs, Hon. Clezy Rore reaffirmed the Government’s strong commitment to strengthening the rule of law, improving access to justice and delivering a more accountable and efficient legal system.
Responding to the Speech from the Throne in Parliament this week, Minister Rore highlighted major progress under the Government’s reform agenda, describing it as one of the most significant transformations of the justice sector since Independence.
“The rule of law, peace, security, accountability and access to justice remain fundamental pillars of our democracy,” he said.
Minister Rore emphasised that these principles continue to guide the Government’s efforts to build a peaceful, inclusive and prosperous nation.
Landmark Legal Reforms
The Minister announced that three critical pieces of legislation namely the Attorney General’s Bill, the Director of Public Prosecutions Bill and the Public Solicitor’s Bill have been finalized following extensive consultations and will soon be submitted to Cabinet.
“These reforms will modernize the mandates of our key legal institutions and position them to better serve the needs of our people,” he said.
Roadmap to an Autonomous Judiciary
He adds a key priority of the Government is the establishment of an autonomous judiciary, in line with constitutional provisions.
Minister Rore told Parliament that a detailed roadmap is being developed with a target for full implementation by July 2028.
He said this reform includes the creation of a dedicated funding mechanism to ensure the long-term financial independence and sustainability of the judiciary.
Delivering Results in Access to Justice
The Justice Minister reported strong performance across the country’s courts demonstrating the success of the Government’s “Justice at the Community Level” policy.
“In 2025, the Central Magistrates’ Court achieved clearance rates of over 100 percent for both criminal and civil cases, significantly reducing backlogs. Provincial courts also recorded high disposal rates, while the High Court and Court of Appeal maintained strong performance levels,” he said.
Minister Rore said backlogs in the Customary Land Appeal Court have also been nearly eliminated, with only a small number of cases remaining nationwide.
Investing in Justice Infrastructure and Innovation
The Justice Minister said the Government is also investing in both physical and digital infrastructure to strengthen the justice system.
He said a new Justice Precinct, valued at $15 million, is set to commence construction in 2026 as part of the country’s 50th Independence Anniversary legacy projects.
“At the same time, Solomon Islands is emerging as a regional leader in digital justice systems, with its Justice Information Management System (JIMS) attracting interest from several Pacific nations seeking to adopt similar technology,” he said.
Strengthening Partnerships and Governance
Minister Rore also emphasized the importance of collaboration across government agencies, provincial authorities, civil society and development partners to deliver better outcomes for citizens.
He also reaffirmed the Ministry’s commitment to strengthening governance systems, including financial management; procurement and accountability frameworks to ensure public resources are used responsibly and effectively.
The Minister reaffirmed the Government’s unwavering commitment to ensuring that justice institutions serve all Solomon Islanders with professionalism, integrity and excellence.
“We stand ready to work with all stakeholders to strengthen the rule of law, improve access to justice and ensure that our institutions continue to serve our people effectively,” he said.
PRESS RELEASE
