Qualifications
Bachelor of Laws (University of Papua New Guinea)
Admitted to practice as a lawyer in Papua New Guinea in 2017

Professional Background
Bernard graduated from the University of Papua New Guinea in 2016 and completed his post-graduate legal training in 2017, at which time he commenced practice at the National and Supreme Court of Papua New Guinea. Bernard commenced employment with Leahy Lewin Lowing Sullivan Lawyers in 2018. He was made an Associate in 2019, a Senior Associate in 2020, prior to his elevation as Partner in 2022.

Areas of Experience
Bernard primarily practices in litigation and occasionally with commercial matters. Bernard is fully conversant with the practice and procedure at the District and National Court where he regularly appears and at the Supreme Court for disputes in the following areas of law:

• contractual and commercial disputes
• liquidation proceedings
• debt recovery claims
• insurance related claims and defence
• building and construction disputes
• derivative and related actions under the PNG Companies Act
• matrimonial disputes and family law including custody, maintenance and adoption
• employment disputes
• tax appeals under Income Tax Act
• appeals under the PNG Land Act
• mortgagee actions
• property disputes
• probate and administration
• mediation of landowner disputes in resource projects
• provincial and local level government claims
• claims against statutory and state agencies
• recovery of legal costs
• appeals and reviews at the Supreme Court

Benard has also provided advice with respect to:

• insurance law
• company law
• labour and industrial relations law
• contract reviews and compliance
• general tax law
• provincial and local level government law
• building and construction
• public finance and procurement law
• incorporation of companies, associations, and other entities
• conveyancing and commercial property advice and documentation
• trademark and patent registration

Bernard has acted in various significant transactions including:

• assisted with the defence of a construction company against a K20 million claim by a head contractor for alleged breach of contract in the refurbishment of the Sir John Guise Indoor Stadium for the 2015 Pacific Games. The matter was successfully negotiated out of Court
• assisted with defending contempt charges against various senior politicians
• assisted with resolving matrimonial dispute and property settlement for a prominent individual in PNG
• advising on an election petition for a petitioner
• reviewed various commercial and construction contracts for the Bank of Papua New Guinea
• advising on the implementation of a contract with Digicel’s installation partners for the roll-out of Digicel Play TV
• conducted security reviews for ANZ Bank for loan facilities held by its corporate customers
• assisted in advising an overseas state-owned enterprise in its transaction with PNG Power Ltd for the purchase of gas turbines
• advising the Central Supply & Tenders Board on the validity of tender procedures for various tenders

Memberships

• Member, Law Society of Papua New Guinea
• Member of PNG Institute of Directors