Ms Pauline McNeil, Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Justice and Legal Affairs, has stepped forward as the leading voice driving one of the GREAT Coalition Government’s most significant governance reforms — the move toward full Judicial Autonomy.
In a high‑level meeting convened by the Office of the Prime Minister and Cabinet (OPMC) on 17 June 2026, Ms McNeil joined senior representatives from the National Judiciary and the Ministry of Finance and Treasury to align policy, legal, financial, and institutional efforts already completed under the reform.
She reaffirmed that Judicial Autonomy is a flagship initiative of the GREAT Government, designed to strengthen the rule of law, uphold the separation of powers, and modernise the justice sector. According to Ms McNeil, the reform is not starting from scratch — substantial groundwork has already been completed, including policy papers, technical reports, legislative drafting, and institutional assessments.
“Today’s meeting was not about starting again,” she emphasised. “It was about examining the work already done, identifying gaps, and agreeing on a coordinated pathway to implementation.”
The meeting reviewed the policy framework, legislative proposals, governance structures, financial implications, and institutional arrangements required to transition the Judiciary from its current administrative model to one with greater budgetary, financial, and administrative independence. This aligns with the GREAT Coalition Government Policy Statement, which commits to empowering the Judiciary through autonomous financial resources that guarantee independent justice delivery nationwide.
Participants agreed that successful implementation will require close collaboration between MJLA, the Judiciary, MoFT, OPMC, and other stakeholders to ensure the reform is fiscally responsible, constitutionally sound, and nationally beneficial.
The meeting concluded with a shared commitment to refine the implementation roadmap, consolidate existing work, and identify the legislative, financial, administrative, and institutional measures needed for a smooth transition.
Ms McNeil’s leadership signals a strong and positive step forward for national governance. Judicial Autonomy is more than a structural reform, it is a nation‑building effort that will help secure fair, transparent, and accountable justice for all Solomon Islanders.
OPMC will continue working closely with all relevant institutions to ensure this important GREAT Coalition commitment is delivered effectively and in the national interest.
Source: PMO
