The Public Solicitor’s Office (PSO) is an independent public office established under section 92 of the pdf Constitution (437 KB) of the Solomon Islands to provide legal aid, advice and assistance to persons in need.
The PSO helps Solomon Islanders with their legal problems provided that they meet certain eligibility criteria which takes into account the person’s individual circumstances including their financial situation and the nature of their legal problem, as well as other factors such as age, disability and communication difficulties.
The PSO has lawyers who can help the general public to understand their legal rights and responsibilities, and navigate the legal system providing legal advice and legal representation.
As a practice, the PSO is structured into 4 Divisions and Units that work together to offer legal aid, advice and assistance across seven specific areas of law.
Land Advisory and Legal Support
The PSO can provide specialist expertise to people who need assistance with logging, mining and customary land matters. This assistance can include legal advice on environmental and customary land issues, education and legal representation for landowners and landowning groups.
Criminal Matters
PSO lawyers can be requested to represent a person who has been taken into custody or charged with an offence in relation to a serious criminal allegation(s). This request can be made by the person being taken into custody or charged or by a family member of that person.
Civil Matters
PSO lawyers can be requested to offer legal advice or in some cases, represent a person in a civil law matter. These matters include employment issues, workers’ compensation and personal injury claims, money claims, restraining orders, property claims and defamation.
Family Protection
PSO lawyers can provide legal advice and representation in matters of family law including in cases involving a divorce, adoption, legal custody and maintenance or in cases where a protection order is needed for a vulnerable person or child. Representation for these matters is provided in the Magistrates Courts, High Court and Court of Appeal.