There are various customary and informal avenues of dispute resolution in Goroka town of the eastern highlands, Papua New Guinea. Despite this fact, approximately 5,500 cases were heard in the non-indigenous state institution of the district court in 2009 - 2010. In this paper, Jennifer Peachey focuses exclusively on family court cases heard in the district court and why it is that women approach the district court, rather than alternative mechanisms, in order to pursue family related concerns.