Nauru's judicial system in limbo

The Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of Nauru says court proceedings involving asylum-seekers will be among the many cases brought to a halt amid judicial turmoil in the country.

nauru getty.jpg
The Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of Nauru says there is no rule of law operating in the island nation.

Last month Nauru's government cancelled Geoffrey Eames' visa, stopping him returning to the country to carry out his duties.

The move came after the Australian issued injunctions intended to halt the deportation of Nauru's chief magistrate.

Justice Eames says while a new magistrate has been appointed, court cases are simply being adjourned, and he expects enormous delays.

"Something like 80 or more cases in the magistrates court have been adjourned until March. Now in March there is a Supreme Court circuit due to commence, and I am supposed to be the judge conducting that," Justice Eames said.

"There is only one court house in Nauru. So there is no way that hearings can take place both in the Magistrates court and in the Supreme Court."

Listen: Justice Eames interviewed by Phillippa Carisbrooke


Share
1 min read

Published

Updated

By Phillippa Carisbrooke
Source: SBS

Tags

Share this with family and friends


Get SBS News daily and direct to your Inbox

Sign up now for the latest news from Australia and around the world direct to your inbox.

By subscribing, you agree to SBS’s terms of service and privacy policy including receiving email updates from SBS.

Download our apps
SBS News
SBS Audio
SBS On Demand

Listen to our podcasts
An overview of the day's top stories from SBS News
Interviews and feature reports from SBS News
Your daily ten minute finance and business news wrap with SBS Finance Editor Ricardo Gonçalves.
A daily five minute news wrap for English learners and people with disability
Get the latest with our News podcasts on your favourite podcast apps.

Watch on SBS
SBS World News

SBS World News

Take a global view with Australia's most comprehensive world news service
Watch the latest news videos from Australia and across the world