Court Profile
District Court
The District Court has the power and jurisdiction vested in it by formerly the Courts Act 1972 and subsequently the District Court Act 2018 as well as other written laws, and which includes some criminal and civil matters.
District Court
Overview
The District Court has the power and jurisdiction vested in it by formerly the Courts Act 1972 and subsequently the District Court Act 2018 as well as other written laws, and which includes some criminal and civil matters.
Composition of District Court
The District Court is a subordinate court to the Supreme Court and is composed of two Resident Magistrates and not fewer than three Lay Magistrates.
The Resident Magistrates and Lay Magistrates are appointed by the President following consultation with the Chief Justice.
Resident Magistrates
A person may be appointed or act as a Resident Magistrate only if they are qualified to practise as a barrister and solicitor under the Legal Practitioners Act 2019 and have at least five years of legal practice or judicial experience in the Republic or a court with comparable jurisdiction to the District Court.
Jurisdiction of the District Court
The District Court has jurisdiction to exercise powers conferred under the District Court Act 2018, Criminal Procedure Act 1972, and any other written law. Its jurisdiction includes matters relating to the division of chattels, the recovery of land in limited circumstances provided for under the District Court Act 2018, interpleader applications, and family-related proceedings.
Lay Magistrates
A lay magistrate is any magistrate other than the Resident Magistrate. Lay Magistrates need not hold law degrees but have undertaken both the Pleaders and Advocacy courses.
Jurisdiction of Lay Magistrates
Lay Magistrates have jurisdiction to hear and determine traffic offences under the Motor Traffic (Traffic Infringement Notices) Regulations 2018 and bail applications for offences punishable by up to twelve (12) months’ imprisonment, in each case sitting as a panel of three Lay Magistrates, as well as matters under Section 14(g) of the District Court Act 2018 and any other matters assigned or vested in them by the Chief Justice from time to time.
Family Court of Nauru
Family Court of Nauru
The Family Court of Nauru was established in 1973 pursuant to the Family Court Act 1973. It is a court of record.
Jurisdiction and Powers of the Family Court
The Family Court, and the members constituting it, shall exercise the jurisdiction, powers, and authorities conferred upon it by this Act, the Maintenance Act 1959, the Adoption of Children Act 1965, and any other written law.
Members and Deputy Registrar of the Family Court
The Family Court consists of the person holding, or acting in, the office of Resident Magistrate, or a person appointed by the President after consultation with the Chief Justice, together with such other persons as the President may appoint as members after consultation with the Chief Justice.
The Resident Magistrate, or acting Resident Magistrate, shall serve as Chairperson of the Family Court.
Where the Resident Magistrate is unavailable for any reason, the President may, after consultation with the Chief Justice, appoint a person to act as Chairperson of the Family Court for the duration of that unavailability.
The Deputy Registrar of the District Court is also the Deputy Registrar of the Family Court.
Proceedings of the Family Court Not Open to the Public
No person is entitled to be present at any Family Court proceedings, except as a witness, other than members and officers of the Court; the parties to the proceedings and their legal representatives; the parents or guardians of any children involved, or any person admitted by the Court in their place; any probation or welfare officer requested by the Court or by a party; and any other person specifically authorised by the Court to be present.
In addition, no person may publish a report of Family Court proceedings, the names of the parties, or any information that could identify them, except with the special leave of the Chairperson.
Decisions of the Family Court
Decisions are made by majority. If the members of the Family Court are divided equally on any decision, the Chairperson has authority to determine the matter.
Judicial Officer
Resident Magistrate Mr Vinay Sharma
Court decisions
Browse published decisions and judgments for this court.
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