A court created by Article VI of the Constitution itself, not by statute — so custom here is a constitutional jurisdiction, not a residual source. Its judges are selected for knowledge of Marshallese custom rather than legal qualification, proceedings are conducted in Marshallese, and its determinations bind the High Court on the questions referred.
How the court is constituted
- Tier
- specialised
- Court type
- Constitutional customary court
- Jurisdiction
- Determines questions of customary law and traditional practice referred to it, particularly land tenure, chiefly (iroij) title and inheritance.
- Seat
- Majuro
- Established
- 1979
- Composition
- A panel of three or more judges chosen to represent the relevant classes of land rights.
- Appointment
- Appointed by the Cabinet on the recommendation of the Judicial Service Commission.
- Languages
- Marshallese, English
Where an appeal goes next
Its determinations return to the referring court; appeals proceed through the High Court.
Filing at this court
- Referral
- Made by the High Court where a question of custom arises
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