First Forestry Prosecution Training with Commonwealth DPP in Sydney, Australia.
The Marine, Environment, Forestry and Fisheries (MEFF) Unit of the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions Solomon Islands with representatives from the Ministry of Forestry and Research, the Ministry of Environment, Climate Change, Disaster Management and Meteorology, the Public Solicitors Office and the Royal Solomon Islands Police Force has successfully completed a week-long prosecution training program with the Commonwealth Director of Public Prosecutions (CDPP).
The training was held from 16–20 February in Sydney and focused on strengthening prosecutorial capacity in forestry and environmental crime matters.
Throughout the week, prosecutors, investigators, and inspectors engaged in intensive sessions covering:
- Evidentiary requirements in forestry offences
- Case analysis and charge framing
- Forfeitures
- Trial advocacy in complex environmental matters
- Inter-agency collaboration and investigative strategy
The program brought together prosecutors from the CDPP and MEFF Unit, including investigators and inspectors to share practical insights drawn from real case experience. Particular emphasis was placed on building strong, evidence-based prosecutions in illegal logging and regulatory enforcement cases. Among others, the Forest Resources and Timber Utilization Act [Cap 40] and the Wildlife Protection and Wildlife Management Act 1998 are two of the legal instruments regarding which the participants had the opportunity to enforce relevant sections based on hypothetical scenario. The participants had the opportunity to experience mock moot sessions and received feedback from the facilitators on collaborative approaches the participants can implement to effectively prosecute forestry offences in the Solomon Islands.
This training reflects MEFF’s continued commitment to enhancing the effective prosecution of forestry offences under Solomon Islands law. Strengthening technical expertise in this area is critical to protecting natural resources, upholding the rule of law, and ensuring accountability within the forestry sector.
The ODPP also acknowledges the participation and collaboration of key partner agencies, including the Royal Solomon Islands Police Force, the Ministry of Forestry and Research, the Ministry of Environment, Climate Change, Disaster Management and Meteorology, and the Public Solicitor’s Office. Their involvement reinforces the importance of a coordinated, multi-agency approach to environmental and forestry crime.
The MEFF Unit extends its sincere appreciation to the CDPP for hosting the training and for its ongoing partnership in advancing prosecutorial excellence. Additionally, to the United Kingdom Forest Governance Markets and Climate Programme (FGMC) for supporting 14 participants to undertake this training in Sydney.
This milestone marks another important step in strengthening the Solomon Islands’ capacity to effectively respond to forestry and environmental offences.
