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🇹🇻 Tuvalu · first-instance court

High Court of Tuvalu

Reviewed· 2026-08-03Funafuti

The superior court of first instance, served by a single Chief Justice who is non-resident and visits for sittings. It enforces the Bill of Rights in Part II of the 1986 Constitution and hears appeals from the Island Courts and Lands Courts that apply custom across the nine islands.

How the court is constituted

Tier
first instance
Court type
Superior court of general jurisdiction
Jurisdiction
Unlimited original jurisdiction, constitutional and fundamental-rights applications, judicial review, and appeals from the Magistrates' and Island Courts.
Seat
Funafuti
Established
1978
Composition
The Chief Justice, sitting alone.
Appointment
Appointed by the Head of State on the advice of Cabinet.
Languages
English, Tuvaluan

Where an appeal goes next

Appeal to the Court of Appeal of Tuvalu.

Filing at this court

Constitutional application
Brought under Part II; no fixed limitation period
Hearings
Listed for the Chief Justice's visiting sittings

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