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Deported magistrate to sue Nauru government

Nauru's former Resident Magistrate says he will sue the Nauru government for comments stated in a press release detailing why he was deported.

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Peter Law. (SBS)

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Source: SBS


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Nauru's only magistrate Peter Law, who's an Australian citizen, says he plans to sue the Nauruan Government over what he says are defamatory comments the government made in its media release.

Mr Law was sacked and deported on Sunday.

In a statement released Tuesday afternoon local time, Nauru's Department of Justice says it removed Mr Law because there were a number of serious complaints raised by former governments, members of the public and judiciary staff.

"I have never received any adverse comments about my judgements," he told the ABC.

"All my judgements are appellble. They're all published. The court has a dropbox. There has never been any other feedback except positive acclaim.

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"So it's a total nonsense to say at this point in time, to raise criticisms of this nature."

Peter Law says his deportation was politically motivated, because he had issued orders that went against the government.

"The role of justice means nothing in Nauru, the police were taking orders from the president," he told SBS.

Australia's Immigration Minister Scott Morrison says he is confident Mr Law's deportation has nothing to do with the processing of asylum seekers on Nauru.

Australian officials are seeking assurances that dozens of court cases involving asylum seekers won't be delayed.


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