559:, whose consent was required for any lawful marriage between a Nauruan and a non-Nauruan (as per the Births, Deaths and Marriages Ordinance 1957), refused to grant consent, without providing a reason. Jeremiah argued this was a violation of article 3 of the Constitution, which provides that "every person in Nauru is entitled to the fundamental rights and freedoms of the individual". Chief Justice Thompson, however, ruled that the constitutional meaning of "fundamental rights and freedoms of the individual" was to be restricted to the rights and freedoms explicitly established by the Constitution. Thus, no constitutional right to marry existed.
505:
according to law" by the High Court after quashing the original decision. The reheard case again imposed increased sentences on the defendants who, with the new Court of
Appeals not yet established, have been left with no avenue of appeal, a situation that has been criticised as deeply unfair. The Nauru Court of Appeal Act was passed in 2018 and commenced in 2020. However, due to the coronavirus pandemic, the judicial positions of the Court of Appeal were not filled till mid-2022 when the first hearings began.
46:
480:. In addition, art.57 of the Constitution stipulates that "Parliament may provide that an appeal lies as prescribed by law from a judgment, decree, order or sentence of the Supreme Court to a court of another country". This provision was implemented in an agreement between Nauru and Australia in 1976, providing for appeals from the Supreme Court of Nauru to the
425:, or upon tending their resignation to the President. Art.54 stipulates that "he Supreme Court shall, to the exclusion of any other court, have original jurisdiction to determine any question arising under or involving the interpretation or effect of any provision of th Constitution"; art.55 prescribes that
547:
as to the persons beneficially entitled to the personality of the estate of a deceased
Nauruan". In a very brief ruling, Chief Justice Thompson struck out the appeal, on the grounds that "this Court has no jurisdiction to entertain appeals from the Nauru Lands Committee's determinations in respect of
504:
as the country's highest court. The termination of the agreement required 90 days notice, which Nauru gave on 12 December 2017, but did not become known until after the
Supreme Court had reheard a case relating to a 2015 protest outside the Nauruan parliament that was remitted to it "for hearing
420:
and solicitors who have been practising for at least five years may be appointed to the
Supreme Court. Articles 50 and 51 prescribe that a Supreme Court judge vacates office upon attaining the age of 65 (unless that age limit be amended by legislation), or upon being removed for incapacity or
1037:
The
Attorney-General should consult with the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade regarding the feasibility of terminating the treaty between Australia and Nauru, which provides for certain appeals to be brought to the High Court from the Supreme Court of Nauru. If termination is considered
581:
The current Chief
Justice is Filimone Jitoko, he succeeded Ratu Joni Madraiwiwi in 2017. Justice Crulci (2014–2017) and Resident Magistrate Emma Garo (2014-2016) were the first women to be appointed to the judiciary in Nauru.
495:
stated: "Severance of ties to
Australia's highest court is a logical step towards full nationhood and an expression of confidence in Nauru's ability to determine its own destiny." Nauruan Justice Minister
429:"may refer questions on Constitution to the Supreme Court", and that "the Supreme Court shall pronounce in open court its opinion on the question". Thus the Supreme Court is empowered to deliver an
491:) and others as sitting awkwardly with the High Court of Australia's other responsibilities. In a speech to parliament on the occasion of the 50th anniversary of Nauru's independence, President
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Despite its name, the
Supreme Court is not the highest court of appeal in most cases. Its judgements on constitutional matters are final, but any other case may be appealed further to the
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686:
898:
Agreement between the
Government of Australia and the Government of the Republic of Nauru relating to Appeals to the High Court of Australia from the Supreme Court of Nauru
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set by the
Supreme Court are integrated to national law, and the Supreme Court's interpretation of the law binds lower courts. Such precedents are, however, superseded by
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ruled in favour of the President, stating that art.77 of the Constitution gave the President full latitude to determine whether a state of emergency should be declared.
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This appellate jurisdiction concluded on 12 March 2018 after the Government of Nauru unilaterally ended the arrangement, which had previously been advocated by the
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in both criminal and civil cases, with certain exceptions; in particular, no case pertaining to the Constitution of Nauru may be decided by the Australian court.
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363:
132:
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Cecil v Director of Public Prosecutions (Nauru); Kepae v Director of Public Prosecutions (Nauru); Jeremiah v Director of Public Prosecutions (Nauru)
555:, decided in March 1971, on petition to the Supreme Court. The petitioner, Jeremiah, was a Nauruan man who wished to marry a non-Nauruan woman. The
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449:. The Pacific Islands Legal Information Institute notes that the Supreme Court "has unlimited original civil jurisdiction and although the
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and sits with other justices, likewise appointed by the President, whose number is to be determined by law. Only
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personalty", as such jurisdiction was not specifically provided by the Nauru Lands Committee Ordinance 1956.
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were constitutionally valid. The case had been brought by members of the parliamentary Opposition. Justice
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does not so specify it is assumed that it has original criminal jurisdiction". Additionally, as per the
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In the Matter of the Constitution and in the Matter of the Dissolution of the Eighteenth Parliament
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In the Matter of the Constitution and in the Matter of the Dissolution of the Eighteenth Parliament
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The Judicial Power of the Commonwealth: A Review of the Judiciary Act 1903 and Related Legislation
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473:, however, functions separately, and no appeal is possible from this court to the Supreme Court.
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cited the cost of appeals to the High Court as another reason for Nauru to establish its own
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1304:"Nauru mourns passing of Chief Justice - The Government of the Republic of Nauru"
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In October 2010, the Supreme Court ruled on its most recent constitutional case,
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986:"Fears for asylum seekers as Nauru moves to cut ties to Australia's high court"
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1015:(30 June 2001). "Appeals from the Supreme Court of Nauru to the High Court".
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543:, in April 1969. The case consisted in an "appeal against a decision of the
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417:
1056:"Appeals to Australia from Nauru: The High Court's Unusual Jurisdiction"
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860:
1151:"Nauru Court of Appeal heard its first case in several years | PINA"
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Constitutional Reference; In re Dual Nationality and Other Questions
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misconduct by a motion adopted by at least two-thirds of members of
955:"Justice in Nauru curtailed as Government abolishes appeal system"
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In re the Constitution, Jeremiah v Nauru Local Government Council
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The first constitutional case to reach the Supreme Court was
1286:"Barry Connell Death Notice - Melbourne, Victoria | The Age"
1083:"Nauru Court of Appeal another step to nation's maturity"
433:, albeit only upon questions referred to it by Cabinet.
1224:"Former North Wales judge, author and broadcaster dies"
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1243:Debrett's Handbook of Australia and New Zealand
457:1972, the Supreme Court hears appeals from the
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920:"News: Court may lose Nauru appellate role"
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1222:Live, North Wales (12 February 2009).
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400:It was established by part V of the
1054:Roberts, Andrew (4 December 2017).
1040:Nauru (High Court Appeals) Act 1976
887:, United States Department of State
469:, on questions of fact or law. The
1120: (20 October 2017), High Court
25:
1322:"Former CJ heads Nauru judiciary"
984:Wahlquist, Calla (2 April 2018).
918:Gans, Jeremy (20 February 2018).
861:"Nauru Courts System Information"
1272:Queensland Supreme Court Library
1013:Australian Law Reform Commission
953:Clarke, Melissa (2 April 2018).
489:Australian Law Reform Commission
44:
885:"Nauru: Courts & Judgments"
388:until the establishment of the
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1212:, Supreme Court of Nauru, 2010
1200:, Supreme Court of Nauru, 1971
1188:, Supreme Court of Nauru, 1969
1132:Nauru Court of Appeal Act 2018
848:(2004), Supreme Court of Nauru
557:Nauru Local Government Council
384:in the judicial system of the
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1505:1968 establishments in Nauru
396:Constitutional establishment
1246:. Debrett's Peerage. 1984.
928:The University of Melbourne
441:The Supreme Court has both
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1035:Recommendation 19—1.
1378:Supreme Courts of Oceania
926:. Melbourne Law School,
226:Administrative divisions
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901:(Cth), 6 September 1976
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1268:"Francis Lenton Daly"
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512:is derived from the
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541:Detamaigo v Demaure
1024:. pp. 341–346
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669:(acting)
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318:Geography
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