The Nauru Court of Appeal proudly marked a remarkable milestone today (24th) with the ceremonial opening of its main Court of Appeal session for 2023. The opening ceremony was conducted before four Justices of the Court of Appeal, including the acting President.
Established under the Nauru Court of Appeal Act in 2018, the Nauru Court of Appeal represents a pivotal development in the legal landscape of Nauru. Prior to this establishment, appeals from the Supreme Court were heard by the High Court of Australia. The Nauru Court of Appeal was created as a distinct judicial entity having recognized the significance of a local appellate court and now stands as the apex court in Nauru’s judicial hierarchy. The President of the Court of Appeal not only serves as the presiding Justice of Appeal but also takes on the crucial role of being the administrative head of the Nauru Court of Appeal. The Court of Appeal convenes as deemed fit by the President and is constituted by no fewer than three Justices, including the President. Presently, the Nauru Court of Appeal boasts a panel of seven Justices, each bringing extensive judicial experience from across the Asia-Pacific region.
In a special session held earlier this year in July, the Nauru Court of Appeal concluded all the pending refugee appeals. This ceremonial opening marks the main and final session of the Court of Appeal for the year 2023. The distinguished gathering for the opening ceremony included the acting President of the Court of Appeal, Justice Rangajeeva Wimalasena, along with Justice Sir Albert Palmer (Chief Justice of the Solomon Islands), Justice Collin Makail (Judge of the National and Supreme Court of Papua New Guinea), and Justice Mahanil Prasantha De Silva (Former Justice of Appeal in Sri Lanka).
In his address, the acting President highlighted the Court of Appeal’s achievements within a short span of time. He emphasized not only the conclusion of numerous appeal cases but also the initiatives undertaken to integrate technology into court proceedings, empower the legal fraternity, and strive for excellence to restore the reputation of Nauru’s judiciary on the world stage. Also, the Acting President specially thanked the exceptional support from the court staff, who are multitasking and putting in their fullest efforts to serve the people of Nauru. (Full Speech)
Mr. Jay Udit, the Secretary of Justice and Border Control, also took the opportunity to address the ceremonial Court. In his remarks, he extended his heartfelt gratitude for the Court of Appeal’s exceptional accomplishments within a relatively short time frame. He emphasized the paramount importance of delivering justice to the people of Nauru and the significance of fostering a vibrant and thriving judicial and legal landscape within the nation.
Ms. Barina Duburiya, President of the Nauru Law Society, conveyed her sincere appreciation to the Justices for their commitment in serving the people of Nauru. In her inspiring speech, she expressed her aspiration for a future day when a Nauruan would proudly sit in the Apex Court. Her words were not only a source of motivation for young legal practitioners but also an encouragement to work diligently, learn from experienced senior practitioners, and aspire to become part of the Nauru judiciary.
The ceremonial sitting witnessed a large gathering of distinguished guests and legal practitioners from both the official and unofficial bar. Attendees included Her Excellency the High Commissioner of Australia, Dr. Helen Cheney, Minister for Justice, Hon. Pyon Deiye MP, Solicitor General, Ms. Bhavana Narayan, Director of Public Prosecutions, Ms. A. Drew; Public Legal Defender, Mr. Tagavakatini, Registrar of Courts, Mr. Ronald Prakash, Associate of the Court of Appeal, Mr. Akash Prasad, and the court staff.
The ceremony was graced by Mr. Jesa, a member of the court staff, who delivered the opening and closing prayers, marking a solemn and auspicious beginning to the Court of Appeal’s 2023 session.