The superior court of first instance, serving 33 atolls spread across 3.5 million square kilometres of ocean from a single registry on Tarawa. It enforces the Chapter II Bill of Rights, reviews administrative action, and hears appeals from the Lands Courts that determine customary land and fishing rights island by island.
How the court is constituted
- Tier
- first instance
- Court type
- Superior court of general jurisdiction
- Jurisdiction
- Unlimited original jurisdiction, enforcement of Chapter II rights, judicial review, and appeals from the Magistrates' and Lands Courts.
- Seat
- South Tarawa
- Established
- 1979
- Composition
- The Chief Justice and any puisne judges, sitting alone.
- Appointment
- The Chief Justice is appointed by the Beretitenti on Cabinet's advice after consulting the Public Service Commission.
- Languages
- English, Gilbertese
Where an appeal goes next
Appeal to the Kiribati Court of Appeal.
Filing at this court
- Constitutional application
- Brought under Chapter II; no fixed limitation period
- Appeal from a Lands Court
- Within three months of the decision
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