The superior court of first instance and the appellate court for the subordinate courts. Where a case turns on customary land tenure or traditional title, the High Court must refer the question to the Traditional Rights Court and is bound by its determination on the referred question — a constitutional allocation of authority rather than mere expert advice.
How the court is constituted
- Tier
- first instance
- Court type
- Superior court of general jurisdiction
- Jurisdiction
- General original jurisdiction in civil and criminal matters, and appeals from the District, Community and Traditional Rights Courts.
- Seat
- Majuro
- Established
- 1979
- Composition
- A Chief Justice and associate justices, sitting alone.
- Appointment
- Appointed by the Cabinet on the recommendation of the Judicial Service Commission.
- Languages
- English, Marshallese
Where an appeal goes next
Appeal to the Supreme Court of the Marshall Islands.
Filing at this court
- Civil claim
- Limitation periods set by the Marshall Islands Revised Code
- Reference on custom
- Mandatory referral to the Traditional Rights Court where custom is in issue
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