PREAMBLE

We the people of Kiribati, acknowledging God as the Almighty Father in whom we put our trust, and with faith in the enduring value of our traditions and heritage, do now grant ourselves this Constitution establishing a sovereign democratic State.

In implementing this Constitution, we declare that-

1. the will of the people shall ultimately be paramount in the conduct of the government of Kiribati;

2. the principles of equality and justice shall be upheld;

3. the natural resources of Kiribati are vested in the people and their Government;

4. we shall continue to cherish and uphold the customs and traditions of Kiribati.

 

 

CHAPTER I

THE REPUBLIC AND THE CONSTITUTION

 

1: Declaration of Republic

Kiribati is a sovereign democratic Republic.

 

2: Constitution is supreme law

This Constitution is the supreme law of Kiribati and if any other law is inconsistent with this Constitution, that other law shall to the extent of the inconsistency, be void.

 

 

CHAPTER II

PROTECTION OF FUNDAMENTAL RIGHTS AND FREEDOMS

OF THE INDIVIDUAL

 

3: Fundamental rights and freedoms of the individual

Whereas every person in Kiribati is entitled to the fundamental rights and freedoms of the individual, that is to say, the right, whatever his race, place of origin, political opinions, colour, creed or sex, but subject to respect for the rights and freedoms of others and for the public interest, to each and all of the following, namely-

a. life, liberty, security of the person and the protection of the law;

b. freedom of conscience, of expression and of assembly and association; and

c. protection for the privacy of his home and other property and from deprivation of property without compensation,

the provisions of this Chapter shall have effect for the purpose of affording protection to those rights and freedoms subject to such limitations on that protection as are contained in those provisions, being limitations designed to ensure that the enjoyment of the said rights and freedoms by any individual does not prejudice the rights and freedoms of others or the public interest.

4. Protection of right to life

1. No person shall be deprived of his life intentionally save in execution of the sentence of a court in respect of a criminal offence under the law in force in Kiribati of which he has been convicted.

2. A person shall not be regarded as having been deprived of his life in contravention of this section if he dies as the result of the use, to such extent and in such circumstances as are permitted by law, of such force as is reasonably justifiable-

a. for the defence of any person from violence or for the defence of property;

b. in order to effect a lawful arrest or to prevent the escape of a person lawfully detained;

c. for the purpose of suppressing a riot, insurrection or mutiny; or

in order to prevent the commission by that person of a criminal offence, or if he dies as the result of a lawful act of war.

 

5: Protection of right to personal liberty

1. No person shall be deprived of his personal liberty save as may be authorised by law in any of the following cases, that is to say-

a. in consequence of his unfitness to plead to a criminal charge;

b. in execution of the sentence or order of a court, whether established for Kiribati or some other country, in respect of a criminal offence of which he has been convicted;

c. in execution of the order of a court of record punishing him for contempt of that court or of a court inferior to it;

d. in execution of the order of a court made to secure the fulfilment of any obligation imposed on him by law;

e. for the purpose of bringing him before a court in execution of the order of a court;

f. upon reasonable suspicion of his having committed, or being about to commit, a criminal offence under the law in force in Kiribati;

g. in the case of a person who has not attained the age of eighteen years, under the order of a court or with the consent of his parent or guardian, for the purpose of his education or welfare;

h. for the purpose of preventing the spread of an infectious or contagious disease;

i. in the case of a person who is. or is reasonably suspected to be, of unsound mind, addicted to drugs or alcohol, or a vagrant for the purpose of his care or treatment or the protection of the community;

j. for the purpose of preventing the unlawful entry of that person into Kiribati, or for the purpose of effecting the expulsion, extradition or other lawful removal of that person from Kiribati or for the purpose of restricting that person while he is being conveyed through Kiribati in the course of his extradition or removal as a convicted prisoner from one country to another; or

k. to such extent as may be necessary in the execution of a lawful order requiring that person to remain within a specified area within Kiribati or prohibiting him from being within such an area, or to such extent as may be reasonably justifiable for the taking of proceedings against that person relating to the making of any such order, or to such extent as may be reasonably justifiable for restraining that person during any visit that he is permitted to make to any part of Kiribati in which in consequence of any such order, his presence would otherwise be unlawful.

2. Any person who is arrested or detained shall be informed as soon as reasonably practicable, and in a language that he understands, of the reasons for his arrest or detention.

3. Any person who is arrested or detained-

a. for the purpose of bringing him before a court in execution of the order of a court; or

b. upon reasonable suspicion of his having committed, or being about to commit, a criminal offence under the law in force in Kiribati, and who is not released, shall be brought without undue delay before a court; and if any person arrested or detained upon reasonable suspicion of his having committed or being about to commit a criminal offence is not tried within a reasonable time, then, without prejudice to any further proceedings that may be brought against him, he shall be released either unconditionally or upon reasonable conditions, including in particular such conditions as are reasonably necessary to ensure that he appears at a later date for trial or for proceedings preliminary to trial.

4. Any person who is unlawfully arrested or detained by any other person shall be entitled to compensation therefore from that other person.

 

6: Protection from slavery and forced labour

1. No person shall be held in slavery or servitude.

2. No person shall be required to perform forced labour.

3. For the purposes of this section, the expression "forced labour" does not include-

a. any labour required in consequence of the sentence or order of a court;

b. any labour required of any person while he is lawfully detained that, though not required in consequence of the sentence or order of a court, is reasonably necessary in the interests of hygiene or for the maintenance of the place at which he is detained;

c. any labour required of a member of a disciplined force in pursuance of his duties as such or, in the case of a person who has conscientious objections to service as a member of a disciplined force, any labour that that person is required by law to perform in place of such service;

d. any labour required during any period of public emergency or in the event of any other emergency or calamity that threatens the life and well-being of the community, to the extent that the requiring of such labour is reasonably justifiable in the circumstances of any situation arising or existing during that period or as a result of that other emergency or calamity, for the purpose of dealing with that situation; or

e. any labour reasonably required as part of reasonable and normal communal or other civic obligations.

 

7: Protection from inhuman treatment

1. No person shall be subjected to torture or to inhuman or degrading punishment or other treatment.

2. Nothing contained in or done under the authority of any law shall be held to be inconsistent with or in contravention of this section to the extent that the law in question authorises the infliction of any description of punishment that was lawful in Kiribati immediately before the coming into operation of this Constitution.

 

8: Protection from deprivation of property

1. No property of any description shall be compulsorily taken possession of, and no interest in or right over property of any description shall be compulsorily acquired, except where the following conditions are satisfied, that is to say-

a. the taking of possession or acquisition is necessary or expedient in the interests of defence, public safety, public order, public morality, public health town or country planning or the development or utilisation of any property for a public purpose; and

b. there is reasonable justification for the causing of any hardship that may result to any person having an interest in or right over the property; and

c. provision is made by a law applicable to that taking of possession or acquisition-

i. for the payment of adequate compensation within a reasonable time; and

ii. securing to any person having an interest in or right over the property a right of access to the High Court, whether direct or on appeal from any other authority, for the determination of his interest or right, the legality of the taking of possession or acquisition of the property, interest or right and the amount of any compensation to which he is entitled, and for the purpose of obtaining that compensation.

2. Nothing contained in or done under the authority of any law shall be held to be inconsistent with or in contravention of this section-

a. to the extent that the law in question makes provision for the taking of possession or acquisition of any property-

i. in satisfaction of any tax, rate or duty;

ii. by way of penalty for breach of the law of forfeiture in consequence of a breach of the law;

iii. as an incident of a lease, tenancy, mortgage, charge, bill of sale, pledge or contract;

iv. in the execution of judgments or orders of a court in proceedings for the determination of civil rights or obligations;

v. in circumstances where it is reasonably necessary so to do because the property is in a dangerous state or injurious to the health of human beings, animals or plants;

vi. in consequence of any law with respect to the limitation of actions or acquisitive prescription;

vii. for so long only as may be necessary for the purposes of any examination, investigation, trial or inquiry or, in the case of land. the carrying out thereon-

A. of work of soil conservation or of conservation of other natural resources; or

B. of work relating to agricultural development or improvement which the owner or occupier of the land has been required, and has without reasonable excuse refused or failed, to carry out; or

viii. pursuant to rights granted to any person to prospect for or mine minerals where the law in question makes reasonable provision for the payment of royalties and provides for adequate compensation for disturbance of surface rights, except so far as that provision or, as the case may be, the thing done under the authority thereof is shown not to be reasonably justifiable in a democratic society; or

b. to the extent that the law in question makes provision for the taking of possession or acquisition of-

i. enemy property;

ii. property of a deceased person, a person of unsound mind, a person who has not attained the age of eighteen years or a person who is absent from Kiribati, for the purpose of its administration for the benefit of the persons entitled to the beneficial interest therein;

iii. property of a person declared to be insolvent or a body corporate in liquidation, for the purpose of its administration for the benefit of the creditors of the insolvent or body corporate and, subject thereto, for the benefit of other persons entitled to the beneficial interest in the property; or

iv. property subject to a trust, for the purpose of vesting the property in persons appointed as trustees under the instrument creating the trust or by a court or, by order of a court, for the purpose of giving effect to the trust.

3. Nothing in this section shall be construed as affecting the making or operation of any law for the compulsory taking of possession in the public interest of any property, or the compulsory acquisition in the public interest of any interest in or right over property, where that property, interest or right is held by a body corporate established for public purposes by any law and in which no money s have been invested other than moneys provided by the Government.

 

9: Protection for privacy of home and other property

1. Except with his own consent, no person shall be subjected to the search of his person or his property or the entry by others on his premises.

2. Nothing contained in or done under the authority of any law shall be held to be inconsistent with or in contravention of this section to the extent that the law in question makes provision-

a. in the interests of defence, public safety, public order, public morality, public health, town or country planning, the development or utilisation of mineral resources, or the development or utilisation of any other property in such a manner as to promote the public benefit;

b. for the purpose of protecting the rights or freedoms of other persons;

c. for the purpose of authorising an officer or agent of the Government, a local government council or a body corporate established by law for a public purpose to enter on the premises of any person in order to inspect those premises or anything thereon for the purpose of any tax, rate or duty or in order to carry out work connected with any property that is lawfully on those premises and that belongs to that Government, council or body corporate, as the case may be;

d. for the purpose of authorising the entry upon any premises in pursuance of an order of a court for the purpose of enforcing the judgment or order of a court in any proceedings; or

e. for the purpose of authorising the entry upon any premises for the purpose of preventing or detecting criminal offences, and except so far as that provision or, as the case may be, any thing done under the authority thereof is shown not to be reasonably justifiable in a democratic society.

 

10: Provisions to secure protection of law

1. If any person is charged with a criminal offence, then, unless the charge is withdrawn, the case shall be afforded a fair hearing within a reasonable time by an independent and impartial court established by law.

2. Every person who is charged with a criminal offence-

a. shall be presumed to be innocent until he is proved or has pleaded guilty;

b. shall be informed as soon as reasonably practicable, in detail and in a language that he understands, of the nature of the offence charged;

c. shall be given adequate time and facilities for the preparation of his defence;

d. shall be permitted to defend himself before the court in person or, at his own expense, by a representative of his own choice;

e. shall be afforded facilities to examine in person or by his representative the witnesses called by the prosecution before the court, and to obtain the attendance and carry out the examination of witnesses to testify on his behalf before the court on the same conditions as those applying to witnesses called by the prosecution; and

f. shall be permitted to have without payment the assistance of an interpreter if he cannot understand the language used at the trial of the charge, and, except with his own consent, the trial shall not take place in his absence unless he so conducts himself as to render the continuance of the proceedings in his presence impracticable and the court has ordered him to be removed and the trial to proceed in his absence.

3. When a person is tried for any criminal offence, the accused person or any person authorised by him in that behalf shall, if he so requires and subject to payment of such reasonable fee as may be prescribed by law, be given within a reasonable time after judgment a copy for the use of the accused person of any record of the proceedings made by or on behalf of the court.

4. No person shall be held to be guilty of a criminal offence on account of any act or omission that did not, at the time it took place, constitute such an offence, and no penalty shall be imposed for any criminal offence that is severer in degree or description than the maximum penalty that might have been imposed for that offence at the time when it was committed.

5. No person who shows that he has been tried by a competent court for a criminal offence and either convicted or acquitted shall again be tried for that offence or for any other criminal offence of which he could have been convicted at the trial for that offence, save upon the order of a superior court in the course of appeal or review proceedings relating to the conviction or acquittal.

6. No person shall be tried for a criminal offence if he shows that he has been pardoned for that offence.

7. No person who is tried for a criminal offence shall be compelled to give evidence at the trial.

8. Any court or other adjudicating authority prescribed by law for the determination of the existence or extent of any civil right or obligation shall be established or recognised by law and shall be independent and impartial; and where proceedings for such a determination are instituted by any person before such a court or other adjudicating authority, the case shall be given a fair hearing within a reasonable time.

9. Except with the agreement of all the parties thereto, all proceedings of every court and proceedings for the determination of the existence or extent of any civil right or obligation before any other adjudicating authority, including the announcement of the decision of the court or other authority, shall be held in public.

10. Nothing in the preceding subsection shall prevent the court or other adjudicating authority from excluding from the proceedings persons other than the parties thereto and their representatives to such extent as the court or other authority-

a. may by law be empowered so to do and may consider necessary or expedient in circumstances where publicity would prejudice the interests of justice or in interlocutory proceedings or in the interests of decency, public morality, the welfare of persons under the age of eighteen years or the protection of the private lives of persons concerned in the proceedings; or

b. may by law be empowered or required so to do in the interests of defence, public safety or public order.

11. Nothing contained in or done under the authority of any law shall be held to be inconsistent with or in contravention of-

a. subsection (2) (a) of this section to the extent that the law in question imposes upon any person charged with a criminal offence the burden of proving particular facts;

b. subsection (2) (e) of this section to the extent that the law in question imposes reasonable conditions that must be satisfied if witnesses called to testify on behalf of an accused person are to be paid their expenses out of public funds; or

c. subsection (5) of this section to the extent that the law in question authorises a court to try a member of a disciplined force for a criminal offence notwithstanding any trial and conviction or acquittal of that member under the disciplinary law of that force, so, however, that any court so trying such a member and convicting him shall in sentencing him to any punishment take into account any punishment awarded him under that disciplinary law.

12. In this section "criminal offence" means a criminal offence under the law in force in Kiribati.

 

11: Protection of freedom of conscience

1. Except with his own consent, no person shall be hindered in the enjoyment of his freedom of conscience, and for the purposes of this section the said freedom includes freedom of thought and of religion, freedom to change his religion or belief, and freedom, either alone or in community with others, and both in public and in private, to manifest and propagate his religion or belief in worship, teaching, practice and observance.

2. Every religious community shall be entitled, at its own expense, to establish and maintain places of education and to manage any place of education which it wholly maintains.

3. No religious community shall be prevented from providing religious instruction for persons of that community in the course of any education provided at any place of education which it wholly maintains or in the course of any education which it otherwise provides.

4. Except with his own consent (or, if he is a person who has not attained the age of eighteen years, the consent of his guardian) no person attending any place of education shall be required to receive religious instruction or to take part in or attend any religious ceremony or observance if that instruction, ceremony or observance relates to a religion other than his own.

5. No person shall be compelled to take any oath which is contrary to his religion or belief or to take any oath in a manner which is contrary to his religion or belief.

6. Nothing contained in or done under the authority of any law shall be held to be inconsistent with or in contravention of this section to the extent that the law in question makes provision which is reasonably required-

a. in the interests of defence, public safety, public order, public morality or public health; or

b. for the purpose of protecting the rights and freedoms of other persons, including the right to observe and practise any religion without the unsolicited intervention of members of any other religion, and except so far as that provision or, as the case may be, the thing done under the authority thereof is shown not to be reasonably justifiable in a democratic society.

7. References in this section to a religion shall be construed as including references to a religious denomination and cognate expressions shall be construed accordingly.

 

12: Protection of freedom of expression

1. Except with his own consent, no person shall be hindered in the enjoyment of his freedom of expression, and for the purposes of this section the said freedom includes the freedom to hold opinions without interference, freedom to receive ideas and information without interference, freedom to communicate ideas and information without interference and freedom from interference with his correspondence.

2. Nothing contained in or done under the authority of any law shall be held to be inconsistent with or in contravention of this section to the extent that the law in question makes provision-

a. in the interests of defence, public safety, public order, public morality or public health;

b. for the purpose of protecting the reputations, rights and freedoms of other persons or the private lives of persons concerned in legal proceedings, preventing the disclosure of information received in confidence, maintaining the authority and independence of the courts, or regulating the administration or the technical operation of telephony, telegraphy, posts, wireless or broadcasting; or

c. that imposes restrictions upon public employees,

d. and except so far as that provision or, as the case may be, the thing done under the authority thereof is shown not to be reasonably justifiable in a democratic society.

 

13: Protection of freedom of assembly and association

1. Except with his own consent, no person shall be indfered (sic) in the enjoyment of his freedom of assembly and association, that is to say, his right to assemble freely and associate with other persons and in particular to form or belong to associations for the advancement or protection of his interests.

2. Nothing contained in or done under the authority of any law shall be held to be inconsistent with or in contravention of this section to the extent that the law in question makes provision-

a. in the interests of defence, public safety, public order, public morality or public health;

b. for the purpose of protecting the rights or freedoms of other persons; or

c. that imposes restrictions upon public employees,

d. and except so far as that provision or, as the case may be, the thing done under the authority thereof is shown not to be reasonably justifiable in a democratic society.

 

14: Protection of freedom of movement

1. No person shall be deprived of his freedom of movement, and for the purposes of this section the said freedom means the right to move freely throughout Kiribati, the right to reside in any part of Kiribati, the right to enter and to leave Kiribati and immunity from expulsion from Kiribati.

2. Any restriction on a person’s freedom of movement that is involved in his lawful detention shall not be held to be inconsistent with or in contravention of this section.

3. Nothing contained in or done under the authority of any law shall be held to be inconsistent with or in contravention of this section to the extent that the law in question makes provision-

a. for the imposition of restrictions on the movement or residence within Kiribati of any person or on any person's right to leave Kiribati that are reasonably required in the interests of defence, public safety or public order;

b. for the imposition of restrictions on the movement or residence within Kiribati or on the right to leave Kiribati of persons generally or any class of persons that are reasonably required in the interests of defence, public safety, public order, public morality, public health, environmental conservation or in fulfilment of the international treaty obligations of Kiribati;

c. for the imposition of restrictions on the movement or residence within Kiribati of any person who is not a citizen of Kiribati or the exclusion or expulsion from Kiribati of any such person;

d. for the imposition of restrictions on the acquisition or use by any person of land or other property in Kiribati;

e. for the imposition of restrictions upon the movement or residence within Kiribati of public employees that are reasonably required for the purpose of ensuring the proper performance of their functions;

f. (d) for the removal of a person from Kiribati to be tried or punished in some other country for a criminal offence under the law of that other country or to undergo imprisonment in that other country in execution of the sentence of a court in respect of a criminal offence under the law in force in Kiribati of which he has been convicted;

g. for the imposition of restrictions, by order of a court, on the movement or residence within Kiribati of any person or on any person’s right to leave Kiribati either in consequence of his having been found guilty of a criminal offence under the law of Kiribati or for the purpose of ensuring that he appears before a court at a later date for trial or for proceedings relating to his extradition or lawful removal from Kiribati; or

h. for the imposition of restrictions on the right of any person to leave Kiribati in order to secure the fulfilment of any obligations imposed upon that person by law, except so far as the provision or, as the case may be, the thing done under the authority thereof is shown not to be reasonably justifiable in a democratic society.

4. If any person whose freedom of movement has been restricted by virtue only of such a provision as is referred to in subsection (3) (a) of this section so requests at any time during the period of that restriction not earlier than six months after he last made such a request during that period, his case shall be reviewed by an independent and impartial Tribunal.

5. On any review by a Tribunal in pursuance of the preceding subsection of the case of a person whose freedom of movement has been restricted, the Tribunal may make recommendations concerning the necessity or expediency of continuing the restriction to the authority by which it was ordered but, unless it is otherwise provided by law, that authority shall not be obliged to act in accordance with any such recommendations.

 

15: Protection from discrimination on the grounds of race. etc.

1. Subject to the provisions of subsections (4), (5) and (8) of this section, no law shall make any provision that is discriminatory either of itself or in its effect.

2. Subject to the provisions of subsections (6), (7) and (8) of this section, no person shall be treated in a discriminatory manner by any person acting by virtue of any written law or in the performance of the functions of any public office or any public authority.

3. In this section, the expression " discriminatory" means affording different treatment to different persons attributable wholly or mainly to their respective descriptions by race, place of origin, political opinions, colour or creed whereby persons of one such description are subjected to disabilities or restrictions to which persons of another such description are not made subject or are accorded privileges or advantages which are not accorded to persons of another such description.

4. Subsection (1) of this section shall not apply to any law so far as that law makes provision-

a. for the imposition of taxation or the appropriation of revenue by the Government or any local authority or body for local purposes;

b. with respect to persons who are not citizens of Kiribati;

c. for the application, in the case of persons of any such description as is mentioned in the preceding subsection (or of persons connected with such persons), of the law with respect to adoption, marriage, divorce, burial, devolution of property on death or other like matters that is the personal law applicable to persons of that description;

d. with respect to land, the tenure of land, the resumption and acquisition of land and other like purposes; or

e. whereby persons of any such description as is mentioned in the preceding subsection may be subjected to any disability or restriction or may be accorded any privilege or advantage which, having regard to its nature and to special circumstances pertaining to those persons or to persons of any other such description, is reasonably justifiable in a democratic society.

5. Nothing contained in any law shall be held to be inconsistent with or in contravention of subsection (1) of this section to the extent that it makes provision with respect to standards or qualifications (not being standards or qualifications specifically relating to race, place of origin, political opinions, colour or creed) to be required of any person who is appointed to any office in the public service, any office in a disciplined force, any office in the service of a local government council or any office in a body corporate established directly by any law for public purposes.

6. Subsection (2) of this section shall not apply to anything which is expressly or by necessary implication authorised to be done by any such provision of law as is referred to in subsection (4) or (5) of this section.

7. Subsection (2) of this section shall not affect any discretion relating to the institution, conduct or discontinuance of civil or criminal proceedings in any court that is vested in any person by or under this Constitution or any other law.

8. Nothing contained in or done under the authority of any law shall be held to be inconsistent with or in contravention of this section to the extent that the law in question makes provision whereby persons of any such description as is mentioned in subsection (3) of this section may be subjected to any restriction on the rights and freedoms guaranteed by sections 9, 11, 12, 13, and 14 of this Constitution, being such a restriction as is authorised by section 9(2), 11(6), 12(2), 13(2), or 14(3), as the case may be.

9. Nothing contained in or done under the authority of any law shall be held to be inconsistent with the provisions of this section-

a. if that law was in force immediately before the coming into operation of this Constitution and has continued in force at all times since the coming into operation of this Constitution; or

b. to the extent that the law repeals and re-enacts any provision which has been contained in any enactment at all times since immediately before the coming into operation of this Constitution.

 

16: Provisions for periods of public emergency

1. In this Chapter "period of public emergency" means any period during which-

a. Kiribati is at war; or

b. there is in force a proclamation made under this section.

2. The Beretitenti acting in accordance with the advice of the Cabinet, may at any time declare that a state of public emergency exists and make regulations for the purpose of dealing with the public emergency.

3. Any declaration or regulations under the preceding subsection shall be made by proclamation published at the office of the Beretitenti.

4. A proclamation made under this section, if not sooner revoked, shall cease to have effect at the expiration of 3 days (or, in the case of a proclamation made otherwise than during a meeting of the Maneaba ni Maungatabu, 30 days) from the date of publication unless it has in the meantime been approved by a resolution of the Maneaba, and a proclamation that has been so approved shall remain in force so long as the resolution remains in force and no longer.

5. Nothing contained in or done under the authority of any law or regulation shall be held to be inconsistent with or in convention of section 5, 6(2), 9, 11, 12, 13, 14 or 15 of this Constitution to the extent that the law or regulation in question makes in relation to any period of public emergency provision, or authorises the doing during any such period of any thing, that is reasonably justifiable in the circumstances of any situation arising or existing during the period for the purpose of dealing with that situation.

6. Where a person is detained by virtue of such a law or regulation as is referred to in the preceding subsection, the following provisions shall apply, that is to say-

a. he shall, as soon as reasonably practicable and in any case not more than 10 days after the commencement of his detention, be furnished with a statement in writing, in a language that he understands, specifying in detail the grounds upon which he is detained;

b. not more than 14 days after the commencement of his detention, a notification shall be published at the office of the Beretitenti stating that he has been detained and giving particulars of the provision of law under which his detention is authorised;

c. not more than 1 month after the commencement of his detention and thereafter during his detention at intervals of not more than 6 months, his case shall be reviewed by an independent and impartial Tribunal consisting of a Chairman appointed by the Chief Justice and 2 other members appointed by the Chief Justice sitting with the Public Service Commission;

d. he shall be afforded reasonable facilities to consult a representative of his own choice who shall be permitted to make representations to the Tribunal; and

e. at the hearing of his case by the Tribunal he shall be permitted to appear in person or through a representative of his own choice.

7. On any review by a Tribunal in pursuance of this section of the case of a detained person, the Tribunal may make recommendations concerning the necessity or expediency of continuing his detention to the authority by which it was ordered but, unless it is otherwise provided by law, that authority shall not be obliged to act in accordance with any such recommendations.

8. Nothing in subsection (6) (d) or (e) of this section shall be construed as entitling a person to representation at public expense.

 

17: Enforcement of protective provisions

1. Subject to the provisions of subsection (5) of this section, if any person alleges that any of the provisions of sections 3 to 16 (inclusive) of this Constitution has been, is being or is likely to be contravened in relation to him (or in the case of a person who is detained, if any other person alleges such a contravention in relation to the detained person) then, without prejudice to any other action with respect to the same matter which is lawfully available, that person (or that other person) may apply to the High Court for redress.

2. The High Court shall have original jurisdiction-

a. to hear and determine any application made by any person in pursuance of the preceding subsection;

b. to determine any question arising in the case of any person which is referred to it in pursuance of the next following subsection, and may make such orders, issue such writs and give such directions as it may consider appropriate for the purpose of enforcing or securing the enforcement of any of the provisions of sections 3 to 16 (inclusive) of this Constitution:

Provided that the High Court may decline to exercise its powers under this subsection if it is satisfied that adequate means of redress for the contravention alleged are or have been available to the person concerned under other provisions of this Constitution or under any other law.

3. If in any proceedings in any subordinate court any question arises as to the contravention of any of the provisions of sections 3 to 16 (inclusive) of this Constitution, the person presiding in that court may, and shall if any party to the proceedings so requests, refer the question to the High Court unless, in his opinion, the raising of the question is merely frivolous or vexatious.

4. The Maneaba ni Maungatabu may by law confer upon the High Court powers additional to those conferred by this section for the purpose of enabling that court more effectively to exercise the jurisdiction conferred upon it by this section.

5. Rules of court making provision with respect to the practice and procedure of the High Court in relation to the jurisdiction conferred on it by or under this section (including rules with respect to the time within which any application or reference shall or may be made or brought) may be made by the person or authority for the time being having power to make rules of court with respect to the practice and procedure of that court generally.

 

18: Interpretation and savings

1. In this Chapter, unless the context otherwise requires-

"contravention", in relation to any requirement, includes a failure to comply with that requirement, and cognate expressions shall be construed accordingly;

"court" means any court of law having jurisdiction in Kiribati other than a court established by a disciplinary law, and includes the Judicial Committee and in sections 4 and 6 of this Constitution a court established by a disciplinary law;

"disciplinary law" means a law regulating the discipline of any disciplined force;

"disciplined force'" means-

a. the Kiribati Police;

b. the Prison Service;

c. the Marine Protection Service;

d. the Marine Training School;

e. "member", in relation to a disciplined force, includes any person who, under the law regulating the discipline of that force, is subject to that discipline.

2. In relation to any person who is a member of a disciplined force of Kiribati. nothing contained in or done under the authority of the disciplinary law of that force shall be held to be inconsistent with or in contravention of any of the provisions of this Chapter other than sections 4, 6 and 7.

3. In relation to any person who is a member of a disciplined force that is not a disciplined force of Kiribati and who is present in Kiribati in pursuance of arrangements made between the Government of Kiribati and another Government or an international organisation, nothing contained in or done under the authority of the disciplinary law of that force shall be held to be inconsistent with or in contravention of any of the provisions of this Chapter.

4. No measures taken in relation to a person who is a member of a disciplined force of a country with which Kiribati is at war and no law, to the extent that it authorises the taking of any such measures, shall be held to be inconsistent with or in contravention of any of the provisions of this Chapter.

 

 

CHAPTER III CITIZENSHIP

 

19: Rights of person of I-Kiribati descent

Every person of I-Kiribati descent shall have an inalienable right to enter and reside in Kiribati and on Independence Day shall as hereinafter provided. become or have and continue to have thereafter the right to become a citizen of Kiribati.

 

20: Persons born, naturalised or registered in Kiribati before Independence Day

1. Every person of I-Kiribati descent who, having been born in Kiribati, is on the day prior to Independence Day a citizen of the United Kingdom and Colonies shall become a citizen of Kiribati on Independence Day.

2. Every person not of I-Kiribati descent who, having been born in Kiribati, is an eligible person shall become a citizen of Kiribati on Independence Day.

3. Every person who is of I-Kiribati descent or an eligible person and who acquired the status of citizen of the United Kingdom and Colonies under the British Nationality Acts 1948 to 1965 by virtue of having been naturalised or registered under those Acts, or naturalised as a British subject before 1949, while resident in Kiribati, shall become a citizen of Kiribati on Independence Day.

 

21: Persons born outside Kiribati before Independence Day

1. Every person of I-Kiribati descent who having been born outside Kiribati is on the day prior to Independence Day a citizen of the United Kingdom and Colonies shall, if his father becomes or would but for his death or renunciation of his citizenship of the United Kingdom and Colonies have become a citizen of Kiribati by virtue of subsection (1) or (3) of the preceding section, become a citizen of Kiribati on Independence Day.

2. Every person not of I-Kiribati descent who having been born outside Kiribati is an eligible person shall, if his father becomes or would but for his death have become a citizen of Kiribati by virtue of subsection (2) or (3) of the preceding section, become a citizen of Kiribati on Independence Day.

 

22: Wives of persons who become citizens on Independence Day

Every woman who, having been married to a person who becomes, or would but for his death or renunciation of his citizenship of the United Kingdom and Colonies have become, a citizen of Kiribati by virtue of section 20 or 21 of this Constitution, acquired the status of citizen of the United Kingdom and Colonies, automatically or by registration, on the grounds of that marriage and who possesses that status on the day prior to Independence Day, shall become a citizen of Kiribati on Independence Day.

 

23: Persons entitled to be registered as citizens

Every person of I-Kiribati decent who does not become a citizen of Kiribati on Independence Day by virtue of section 20, 21 or 22 of this Constitution shall, at any time thereafter, be entitled upon making application in such manner as may be prescribed to be registered as a citizen of Kiribati.

 

24: Avoidance of dual nationality

Any person, other than a person of I-Kiribati descent, who-

a. has attained the age of 18 years before Independence Day;

b. becomes a citizen of Kiribati by virtue of section 20 or 21 of this Constitution; and

c. is on Independence Day a national of some other country, shall cease to be a citizen of Kiribati at the expiry of a period of 2 years after Independence Day or such longer period as may be prescribed, unless before the expiry of that period he has renounced or lost his nationality of that other country or, if the law of that other country makes no provision for or does not permit him to renounce his nationality of that other country, made such a declaration as may be prescribed.

 

25: Persons born after the day prior to Independence Day

1. Every person born in Kiribati after the day prior to Independence Day shall become a citizen of Kiribati at the date of his birth unless on that date, not being a person of I-Kiribati descent or a person whose father is a citizen of Kiribati, he becomes a citizen of some other country:

Provided that a person shall not become a citizen of Kiribati by virtue of this subsection if at the time of his birth-

a. his father possesses such immunity from suit and legal process as is accorded to any envoy of a foreign sovereign power accredited to Kiribati and neither of his parents is a citizen of Kiribati; or

b. his father is a citizen of a country with which Kiribati is at war and the birth occurs in a place then under occupation of such country.

2. Every person born outside Kiribati after the day prior to Independence Day shall become a citizen of Kiribati at the date of his birth if at that date his father is, or would but for his death have been, a citizen of Kiribati.

 

26: Marriage to citizens of Kiribati

Any women who after the day prior to Independence Day marries a person who is or becomes a citizen of Kiribati shall be entitled, upon making application in such manner as may be prescribed, to be registered as a citizen of Kiribati.

 

27: Commonwealth citizens

1. Every person who under this Constitution or any other law is a citizen of Kiribati or under any enactment for the time being in force in any country to which this section applies is a citizen of that country shall, by virtue of that citizenship, have the status of a Commonwealth citizen.

2. Every person who is a British subject without citizenship under the British Nationality Act 1948, continues to be a British subject under section 2 of that Act or is a British subject under the British Nationality Act 1965 shall, by virtue of that status, have the status of a Commonwealth citizen.

3. Save as may be otherwise provided by the Maneaba ni Maungatabu the countries to which this section applies are Australia, The Bahamas, Bangladesh, Barbados, Botswana, Canada, Cyprus, Dominica, Fiji, The Gambia, Ghana, Grenada, Guyana, India, Jamaica, Kenya, Lesotho, Malawi, Malaysia, Malta, Mauritius, Nauru, New Zealand, Nigeria, Papua New Guinea, Saint Lucia, Seychelles, Sierra Leone, Singapore, Solomon Islands, Southern Rhodesia, Sri Lanka, Swaziland, Tanzania, Tonga, Trinidad and Tobago, Tuvalu, Uganda, the United Kingdom and Colonies, Western Samoa and Zambia.

 

28: Powers of the Maneaba ni Maungatabu

The Maneaba ni Maungatabu may make provision-

a. for the acquisition of citizenship of Kiribati by persons who are not eligible or who are no longer eligible to become citizens of Kiribati by virtue of this Chapter;

b. for the renunciation by any person of his citizenship of Kiribati;

c. for the maintenance of a register of citizens of Kiribati who are also citizens of other countries;

d. for depriving of his citizenship of Kiribati-

i. any person not of I-Kiribati descent who is a citizen of Kiribati otherwise than by virtue of this Chapter;

ii. any other person not of I-Kiribati descent who being a citizen of Kiribati has after the day prior to Independence Day acquired another nationality.

 

29: Interpretation

1. For the purpose of this Chapter-

a. "a person of I-Kiribati descent" means a person one of whose ancestors was born in Kiribati before 1900;

b. an "eligible person" means a person who on the day prior to Independence Day-

i. is a citizen of the United Kingdom and Colonies; and

ii. has no other nationality, provided that-

iii. neither he, his father nor his father’s father was born in the United Kingdom or was registered or naturalised in the United Kingdom as a citizen of the United Kingdom and Colonies or a British subject;

c. any reference to the father of a person shall, in relation to a person born out of wedlock, be construed as a reference to the mother of that person;

d. a person born aboard a registered ship or aircraft, or aboard an unregistered ship or aircraft of the Government of any country, shall be deemed to have been born in the place in which the ship or aircraft was registered or, as the case may be, in that country.

2. For the purpose of the definition of "an eligible person" in subsection (1) (b) of this section, where a person has a nationality other than citizenship of the United Kingdom and Colonies he shall be deemed to have lost that other nationality if-

a. the law of the country of that other nationality makes no provision for or does not permit him to renounce that nationality; and

b. he has before Independence Day signed and delivered to the Government of the Gilbert Islands a declaration that he no longer regards himself as having that other nationality and will not claim the benefits of that nationality and wishes to become a citizen of Kiribati.

 

 

CHAPTER IV

THE EXECUTIVE

Part I

The Beretitenti

 

30: The office of Beretitenti

1. There shall be a president of Kiribati, who shall be known as Beretitenti.

2. The Beretitenti shall be the Head of State and the Head of Government.

 

31: First Beretitenti

1. The first Beretitenti shall be the person who immediately before Independence Day holds the office of Chief Minister under the Constitution.

2. The first Beretitenti shall be deemed to have assumed office at the coming into operation of this Constitution.

 

32: Election of Beretitenti

1. Nomination for and an election to the office of Beretitenti shall be held in such manner as is prescribed by this section and, subject thereto, by or under law-

a. as soon as practicable after the first sitting of the Maneaba ni Maungatabu following a general election and before proceeding on any Bill;

b. in the circumstances specified in section 35(4) of this Constitution.

2. The Maneaba shall after the election of the Speaker nominate, from among members of the Maneaba, not less than 3 nor more than 4 candidates for election as Beretitenti, and no other person may be a candidate.

3. Every person who is entitled to vote in a general election shall be entitled to vote in an election of Beretitenti.

4. A person elected to the office of Beretitenti under this section shall assume that office on the day upon which he is declared elected.

5. A person may assume office as Beretitenti after election on not more than 3 occasions:

Provided that a person who assumes office as Beretitenti under section 35(2) of this Constitution may assume office as Beretitenti on not more than 2 subsequent occasions.

 

33: Tenure of office of Beretitenti

1. The Beretitenti, unless he ceases to be Beretitenti by virtue of this section or the next following section, shall continue in office until the person elected at the next election of Beretitenti after a general election assumes office.

2. The Beretitenti shall cease to be Beretitenti-

a. if he resigns his office, by notice in writing addressed to the Speaker;

b. if a motion of no confidence in the Beretitenti or the Government is supported in the Maneaba ni Maungatabu by the votes of a majority of all the members of the Maneaba;

c. if, in respect of any matter before the Maneaba, the Beretitenti notifies the Speaker that a vote on that matter raises an issue of confidence, and in a subsequent vote on that matter it is rejected by a majority of all the members of the Maneaba;

d. if he ceases to be a member of the Maneaba otherwise than by reason of a dissolution of the Maneaba; or

e. in the circumstances specified in the next following section.

 

34: Removal of Beretitenti on grounds of incapacity

1. If the Maneaba ni Maungatabu resolves, upon a motion supported by the votes of a majority of all the members thereof (other than the Beretitenti), that the question of the mental or physical capacity of the Beretitenti to discharge the functions of his office ought to be investigated, the Speaker shall notify the Chief Justice who shall appoint a Medical Board consisting of not less than 3 persons who are qualified as medical practitioners under the law of Kiribati or under the law of any other country in the Commonwealth, and the Board shall inquire into the matter and shall report to the Maneaba stating the opinion of the Board whether or not the Beretitenti is, by reason of any infirmity of body or mind, incapable of discharging the functions of his office.

2. If the Maneaba, having received the report of the Medical Board, resolves by a majority of all the members of the Maneaba (other than the Beretitenti) that the Beretitenti is, by reason of infirmity of body or mind, incapable of discharging the functions of his office the Beretitenti shall cease to hold office forthwith.

 

35: Vacancy in the office of Beretitenti

1. If the office of Beretitenti becomes vacant by reason of the Beretitenti ceasing to hold office by virtue of paragraph (b) or (c) of section 33 (2) of this Constitution, the Council of State shall perform the functions of Beretitenti until the person elected at the next election of Beretitenti following a general election assumes office.

2. If the office of Beretitenti becomes vacant for any other reason, the Kauoman-ni-Beretitenti shall assume the office of Beretitenti and, if the Maneaba ni Maungatabu by resolution confirms his assumption of the office of Beretitenti, he shall continue to hold such office until he ceases to be Beretitenti under section 33 of this Constitution.

3. A person assuming the office of Beretitenti under the preceding subsection shall, at the next following meeting of the Maneaba, propose a motion for a resolution confirming his assumption of the office of Beretitenti, and the motion shall be debated and decided at that meeting.

4. If the assumption of the office of Beretitenti by the Kauoman-ni-Beretitenti is not confirmed by the Maneaba, an election to the office of Beretitenti shall be held before proceeding on any Bill and as soon as practicable in accordance with section 32 of this Constitution, and the person who assumed the office of Beretitenti under subsection (2) of this section shall cease to be Beretitenti (unless he ceases sooner under section 33 (2) of this Constitution) when the person elected as Beretitenti at that election assumes office.

5. If the office of Beretitenti becomes vacant during any period when the office of Kauoman-ni-Beretitenti is also vacant, the Cabinet shall elect 1 of the Ministers to assume the office of Beretitenti under subsection (2) of this section, and the provisions of subsections (2), (3) and (4) of this section shall apply to that person as if he had been Kauoman-ni-Beretitenti.

 

36: Discharge of functions of Beretitenti during absence, illness, etc.

1. Whenever the Beretitenti is absent or considers it desirable so to do by reason of illness or accident he may, by directions in writing, authorise the Kauoman-ni-Beretitenti to discharge such of the functions of the office of Beretitenti as he may specify and the Kauoman-ni-Beretitenti shall discharge those functions until his authority is revoked by the Beretitenti.

2. If the Beretitenti is incapable by reason of illness or accident of discharging the functions of his office and the infirmity is of such a nature that the Beretitenti is unable to authorise another person under this section to discharge those functions, the Kauoman-ni-Beretitenti shall discharge the functions of the office of Beretitenti.

3. Any person discharging the functions of the office of Beretitenti by virtue of the preceding subsection shall cease to discharge those functions if he is notified by the Beretitenti that the Beretitenti is about to resume those functions.

4. It shall be a condition precedent to the discharge by the Kauoman-ni-Beretitenti of the functions of the office of Beretitenti by virtue of subsection (2) of this section that the Secretary to the Cabinet shall have a certificate of a medical practitioner registered under the law of Kiribati that the Beretitenti is incapable by reason of illness or accident of discharging the functions of his office, and at the first Cabinet meeting summoned thereafter the certificate shall be presented to the Cabinet:

Provided that any such certificate shall cease to have effect if the Beretitenti notifies any person under the preceding subsection that he is about to resume the functions of the office of Beretitenti.

 

37: Oath of Beretitenti

A person assuming the office of Beretitenti shall, before entering upon the duties of that office, take and subscribe before the Chief Justice an oath in the form set out in Schedule I to this Constitution.

 

38: Conduct of elections of Beretitenti

1. The Chief Justice shall have superintendence over elections to the office of Beretitenti, which elections shall be conducted by the Electoral Commission.

2. Any question which may arise as to whether-

a. any provision of this Constitution or any law relating to the election of a Beretitenti under section 39 of this Constitution has been complied with; or

b. any person has been validly elected under that section, shall be referred to and determined by the Chief Justice whose decision shall not be questioned in any court.

 

 

Part II The Kauoman-ni-Beretitenti

 

39: Kauoman-ni-Beretitenti

1. There shall be a vice-president of Kiribati, who shall be known as Kauoman-ni-Beretitenti.

2. The Beretitenti shall, as soon as practicable after assuming that office, appoint a Kauoman-ni-Beretitenti from among the Ministers.

3. The Kauoman-ni-Beretitenti shall cease to be Kauoman-ni-Beretitenti-

a. if he resigns his office, by notice in writing addressed to the Beretitenti;

b. if he ceases to be a member of the Maneaba ni Maungatabu otherwise than by reason of a dissolution of the Maneaba;

c. if he is removed from office by the Beretitenti;

d. when the Beretitenti who appointed him as Kauoman-ni-Beretitenti ceases to hold office as Beretitenti following an election of Beretitenti; or

e. when the Beretitenti ceases to hold office by virtue of paragraph (b) or (c) of section 33(2) of this Constitution.

4. The Kauoman-ni-Beretitenti shall, before entering upon the duties of his office, take and subscribe before the Chief Justice an oath in the form set out in Schedule 1 to this Constitution.

5. If the Kauoman-ni-Beretitenti is absent from Kiribati or is incapacitated by reason of illness or any other cause of discharging the functions of his office, the Beretitenti shall appoint one of the other Ministers to perform the functions of the office of Kauoman-ni-Beretitenti and any person so appointed shall discharge those functions accordingly until-

a. his appointment is revolved by the Beretitenti;

b. he ceases to be a Minister; or

c. any person assumes the office of Beretitenti.

6. Where the Kauoman-ni-Beretitenti is performing the functions of the office of Beretitenti in accordance with section 36 of this Constitution he may appoint one of the other Ministers to perform the functions of the office of Kauoman-ni-Beretitenti and any person so appointed may discharge those functions accordingly until-

a. his appointment is revoked by the Kauoman-ni-Beretitenti;

b. he ceases to be a Minister; or

c. the Kauoman-ni-Beretitenti ceases to perform the functions of the office of Beretitenti.

7. During any period when, while the functions of the office of Beretitenti are required under section 36 (2) of this Constitution to be discharged by the Kauoman-ni-Beretitenti, there is no Kauoman-ni-Beretitenti or the Kauoman-ni-Beretitenti is absent from Kiribati or is incapable by reason of illness or accident of discharging the functions of his office and there is no subsisting appointment under the preceding subsection, the functions of the office of Beretitenti shall be performed by such Minister as the Cabinet shall elect:

Provided that any person performing the functions of the office of Beretitenti under this subsection shall not exercise the power of the Beretitenti to remove the Kauoman-ni-Beretitenti from office.

8. It shall be a condition precedent to the discharge of the functions of the office of Beretitenti by the Minister elected under the preceding subsection that the Secretary to the Cabinet shall have a certificate of a medical practitioner registered under the law of Kiribati that the Kauoman-ni-Beretitenti is incapable by reason of illness or accident of discharging the functions of his office, and at the first Cabinet meeting summoned thereafter the certificate shall be presented to the Cabinet:

Provided that any such certificate shall cease to have effect if the Beretitenti or the Kauoman-ni-Beretitenti notifies the Minister elected under the preceding subsection that he is about to resume the functions of the office of Beretitenti.

 

 

Part III The Cabinet

 

40: The Cabinet

There shall be a Cabinet which shall consist of the Beretitenti, the Kauoman-ni-Beretitenti and not more than 8 other Ministers, and the Attorney-General.

 

41: The Ministers

1. The Beretitenti shall, as soon as practicable after assuming that office, appoint the Ministers from among members of the Maneaba ni Maungatabu.

2. If occasion arises for making an appointment to the office of a Minister while the Maneaba is dissolved under section 78 (2) of this Constitution, the Beretitenti may appoint as a Minister a person who was a member of the Maneaba before the dissolution.

3. A Minister shall cease to be a Minister if-

a. he resigns his office, by notice in writing addressed to the Beretitenti;

b. he ceases to be a member of the Maneaba otherwise than by reason of a dissolution of the Maneaba;

c. he is removed from office by the Beretitenti;

d. any person assumes the office of Beretitenti; or

e. the Beretitenti ceases to hold office by virtue of paragraph (b) or (c) of section 33 (2) of this Constitution.

 

42: Attorney-General

1. There shall be an Attorney-General for Kiribati who shall be the principal legal adviser to the Government.

2. The Attorney-General shall be appointed, and may be removed from office, by the Beretitenti.

3. No person shall be qualified to hold or to act in the office of Attorney-General unless he is qualified to practise in Kiribati as an advocate in the High Court.

4. The Attorney-General shall have power in any case in which he considers it desirable to do so-

a. to institute and undertake criminal proceedings against any person before any court established for Kiribati in respect of any offence alleged to have been committed by that person;

b. to intervene in, take over and continue any such criminal proceedings that have been instituted or undertaken by any other person or authority; and

c. to discontinue at any stage before judgment is delivered any such criminal proceedings instituted or undertaken by himself or any other person or authority.

5. The Attorney-General shall exercise all such functions as may be from time to time conferred upon him by law.

6. The powers of the Attorney-General under subsection (4) or (5) of this section may be exercised by him in person or by officers subordinate to him acting in accordance with his general or specific instructions.

7. Subject to the provisions of the preceding subsection, the powers conferred on the Attorney-General by subsection (4) (b) and (c) of this section shall be vested in him to the exclusion of any other person or authority:

Provided that where any other person or authority has instituted criminal proceedings, nothing in this subsection shall prevent the withdrawal of those proceedings by or at the instance of that person or authority and with the leave of the court.

8. In the exercise of the functions vested in him by subsection (4) of this section the Attorney-General shall not be subject to the direction or control of any other person or authority.

9. For the purposes of this section, any appeal from any judgment in any criminal proceedings before any court, or any case stated or question of law reserved for the purpose of any such proceedings, to any other court shall be deemed to be part of those proceedings:

Provided that the power conferred on the Attorney-General by subsection (4) (c) of this section shall not be exercised in relation to any appeal by a person convicted in any criminal proceedings or to any case stated or question of law reserved at the instance of such a person.

 

43: Oath of Cabinet members

A member of the Cabinet shall, before entering upon the duties of his office, take and subscribe before the Chief Justice an oath in the form set out in Schedule 1 to this Constitution.

 

44: Secretary to the Cabinet

1. There shall be a Secretary to the Cabinet whose office shall be a public office.

2. The Secretary to the Cabinet shall be responsible, in accordance with such instructions as may be given to him by the Cabinet, for arranging the business for, and keeping the minutes of, the Cabinet and for conveying the decisions of the Cabinet to the appropriate person or authority, and shall have such other functions as the Cabinet or the Beretitenti may direct.

 

 

Part IV Executive Functions

 

45: Executive authority of Kiribati

The executive authority of Kiribati shall vest in the Cabinet, which shall be collectively responsible to the Maneaba ni Maungatabu for the executive functions of the Government.

 

46: Functions of Beretitenti

1. In the exercise of any function conferred upon him by this Constitution or any other law the Beretitenti shall, unless it is otherwise provided, act in his own deliberate judgment and shall not be obliged to follow the advice tendered by any other person or authority.

2. Where the Beretitenti is by this Constitution or any other law directed to exercise any function in accordance with the advice of any person or authority, he may, before acting in accordance with such advice, once refer it back for reconsideration by the person or authority concerned.

 

47: Functions of Ministers

1. The Kauoman-ni-Beretitenti and each of the other Ministers shall be responsible for such business of the Government (including the administration of any department) as the Beretitenti may assign to him.

2. Where any Minister has been charged with responsibility for the administration of any department of government, he shall exercise direction and control over that department and, subject to such direction and control, the department shall be under the supervision of the Secretary to the department, whose office shall be a public office.

 

48: Proceedings in Cabinet

1. The Cabinet shall be summoned by the Beretitenti.

2. The Beretitenti shall, so far as is practicable, attend and preside at all meetings of the Cabinet.

3. No business except that of adjournment shall be transacted in the Cabinet if objection is taken by any member present that there are less than 5 members present.

4. Subject to the provisions of the preceding subsection, the Cabinet shall not be disqualified for the transaction of business by reason of any vacancy in its membership, and any proceedings of the Cabinet shall be valid notwithstanding that some person who was not entitled to do so took part in those proceedings.

5. The Beretitenti shall decide what business shall be considered at any meeting of the Cabinet.

6. The person presiding in the Cabinet may summon any person to a meeting of the Cabinet, notwithstanding that that person is not a member of the Cabinet, when in the opinion of the person presiding the business before the Cabinet makes the presence of that person desirable.

 

49: Council of State

1. There shall be a Council of State which shall consist of the persons for the time being holding or acting in the offices of Chairman of the Public Service Commission, who shall be Chairman, Chief Justice and Speaker.

2. In the event of the Beretitenti ceasing to hold office in the circumstances specified in paragraph (b) or (c) of section 33 (2) of this Constitution, the Council of State shall perform the functions of the Beretitenti and the other executive functions of the Government until the person elected at the next election of Beretitenti following a general election assumes office.

 

50: Prerogative of mercy

The Beretitenti, acting in accordance with the advice of the Cabinet, may-

a. grant to any person concerned in or convicted of any offence against the law in force in Kiribati a pardon, either free or subject to lawful conditions;

b. grant to any person a respite, either indefinite or for a specified period, of the execution of any punishment imposed on that person for any offence;

c. substitute a less severe form of punishment for any punishment imposed on any person for any offence; and

d. remit the whole or part of any punishment imposed on any person for any offence or of any penalty or forfeiture otherwise due to the Government on account of any offence.

 

51: Constitution of offices

Subject to the provisions of this Constitution and of any Act, the powers of constituting and abolishing public offices for Kiribati shall vest in the Beretitenti, acting in accordance with the advice of the Cabinet.

 

 

CHAPTER V

THE LEGISLATURE

 

Part I Composition

 

52: Establishment of Maneaba ni Maungatabu

There shall be a legislature for Kiribati which shall be known as the Maneaba ni Maungatabu and shall consist of a single chamber.

 

53: Composition of Maneaba

1. Subject to the provisions of this section, the Maneaba ni Maungatabu shall be composed of-

a. 35 elected members;

b. the member provided for in section 117 of this Constitution; and

c. if he is not an elected member, the Attorney-General as an ex officio member.

2. A person who assumes the office of Beretitenti in accordance with this Constitution shall not, by reason of the fact that he holds that office, cease to be a member of the Maneaba.

3. Where a person who assumes the office of Beretitenti in accordance with this Constitution is, at the time of assuming that office, the member of the Maneaba for an electoral district entitled to be represented by only 1 member, a by-election shall be held in that electoral district, within 3 months of that person assuming the office of Beretitenti, for the election of 1 additional member of the Maneaba.

4. The number of elected members of the Maneaba may be altered by the Maneaba in accordance with section 63 of this Constitution.

 

54: Election of elected members

1. Subject to the provisions of this Constitution, the elected members of the Maneaba ni Maungatabu shall be elected in such manner as may be prescribed.

2. For the purpose of the election of the elected members of the Maneaba, electoral districts shall be established within Kiribati having such boundaries and such number of elected representatives as may be prescribed.

3. Until such time as it is otherwise provided under this Constitution, Kiribati shall be divided into 23 electoral districts the respective boundaries and number of elected representatives of which shall be the same as those prescribed in the Elections Ordinance 1977 for the 23 electoral districts established by that Ordinance

 

55: Qualifications for elected membership

Subject to the provisions of the next following section and of section 118 (1) of this Constitution a person shall be qualified to be elected as an elected member of the Maneaba ni Maungatabu if, and shall not be so qualified unless-

a. he is a citizen of Kiribati; and

b. he has attained the age of 21 years.

 

56: Disqualifications for elected membership

1. No person shall be qualified to be elected as an elected member of the Maneaba ni Maungatabu who-

a. is, by virtue of his own act, under any acknowledgement of allegiance, obedience or adherence to a foreign power or state;

b. is in lawful detention by reason of his having been certified to be insane or otherwise adjudged to be of unsound mind under any law in force in Kiribati;

c. is under sentence of death imposed on him by a court in any part of the Commonwealth, or is serving a sentence of imprisonment (by whatever name called) for a term of or exceeding 12 months, imposed on him by such a court or substituted by competent authority for some other sentence imposed on him by such a court;

d. is disqualified from membership of the Maneaba under any law in force in Kiribati relating to offences connected with elections;

e. holds, or is acting in, any office the functions of which involve any responsibility for, or in connection with, the conduct of any election or the compilation or revision of any electoral register; or

f. subject to such exemptions as may be prescribed by any law in force in Kiribati, holds, or is acting in, any public office.

2. For the purposes of paragraph (c) of the preceding subsection-

a. 2 or more terms of imprisonment that are required to be served consecutively shall be regarded as a single term of imprisonment for the aggregate period of those terms; and

b. no account shall be taken of a sentence of imprisonment imposed as an alternative to or in default of the payment of a fine.

3. No person shall be disqualified to be elected as an elected member of the Maneaba by virtue of subsection (1) (a) of this section by reason only that he possesses the nationality of a state other than Kiribati.

 

57: Tenure of office of elected members

Subject to the provisions of section 118 (2) of this Constitution the seat of an elected member of the Maneaba ni Maungatabu shall become vacant-

a. on a dissolution of the Maneaba;

b. if he is absent from the sittings of the Maneaba for such period and in such circumstances as may be prescribed in the rules of procedure of the Maneaba;

c. if he resigns his seat, by notice in writing addressed to the Speaker;

d. if he ceases to be a citizen of Kiribati;

e. if any circumstances arise which, if he were not a member of the Maneaba, would cause him to be disqualified for election thereto by virtue of paragraph (a), (b), (d), (e) or (f) of subsection (1) of the preceding section;

f. in the circumstances specified in the next following section; or

g. in the circumstances specified in section 59 of this Constitution.

 

58: Vacation of seat on sentence

1. Subject to the provisions of this section, if an elected member of the Maneaba ni Maungatabu is sentenced by a court in any part of the Commonwealth to death or to imprisonment (by whatever name called), and serves any part of such a sentence of imprisonment, he shall forthwith cease to discharge his functions as a member of the Maneaba, and his seat in the Maneaba shall become vacant at the expiration of a period of 30 days thereafter:

Provided that the Speaker may, at the request of the member, from time to time extend that period of 30 days to enable the member to pursue any appeal in respect of his conviction or sentence, so, however, that extensions of time exceeding in the aggregate 150 days shall not be granted without the approval of the Maneaba signified by resolution.

2. If at any time before the member vacates his seat he receives a free pardon or his conviction is set aside or a punishment other than imprisonment is substituted, his seat in the Maneaba shall not become vacant under the preceding subsection and he may again discharge his functions as a member of the Maneaba.

 

59: Vacation of seat after petition and referendum

1. Subject to the provisions of subsections (6) and (7) of this section. if the Speaker receives a petition calling for the removal of an elected member of the Maneaba ni Maungatabu signed by a majority of the persons who were registered as electors, at the time of the last election of that member, in the electoral district from which that member was last elected, he shall send the petition forthwith to the Electoral Commission.

2. The Electoral Commission shall, as soon as practicable after receipt of a petition under the preceding subsection, conduct a referendum to determine whether the member named in the petition should vacate his seat in the Maneaba.

3. No person shall be entitled to vote in a referendum under this section unless he was registered as an elector, at the time of the last election of the member named in the petition, in the electoral district from which that member was last elected.

4. If in a referendum under this section a majority of those entitled to vote in that referendum vote for the removal from the Maneaba of the member named in the petition, that member shall vacate his seat in the Maneaba forthwith.

5. Where a member vacates his seat in the Maneaba under the preceding subsection, a by-election shall be held within 3 months (unless the Maneaba is sooner dissolved) to fill that seat in the Maneaba.

6. No action shall be taken on a petition delivered to the Speaker under this section until the expiration of 6 months following-

a. the last occasion on which the member named in the petition was elected to the Maneaba; or

b. the date of any referendum held under this section which determined that the member named in the petition was not required to vacate his seat in the Maneaba under subsection (4) of this section.

7. This section shall not apply to a member of the Maneaba during any period when he is holding or acting in the office of Beretitenti, Kauoman-ni-Beretitenti or any other Minister, or Attorney-General.

 

60: Determination of questions as to membership

1. The High Court shall have jurisdiction to hear and determine any question whether-

a. any person has been validly elected as a member of the Maneaba ni Maungatabu; or

b. any elected member of the Maneaba has vacated his seat therein or is required by virtue of section 58 of this Constitution to cease to perform his functions as a member.

2. An application to the High Court for the determination of-

a. any question under paragraph (a) of the preceding subsection may be made by any person entitled to vote in the electoral district, and at the election, to which the application relates or by any person who was a candidate in that district at that election or by the Attorney-General;

b. any question under paragraph (b) of the preceding subsection may be made by any person entitled to vote at an election in the electoral district for which the member concerned was returned or by any elected member of the Maneaba or by the Attorney-General:

Provided that if such an application is made by a person other than the Attorney-General, the Attorney-General may intervene and may then appear or be represented in the proceedings.

3. The Maneaba may make provision with respect to-

a. the circumstances and manner in which and the imposition of conditions upon which any application may be made to the High Court for the determination of any question under subsection (1) of this section; and

b. the powers, practice and procedure of the High Court in relation to any such application.

4. No appeal shall lie from any decision of the High Court in proceedings under subsection (1) of this section.

 

61: Penalty for sitting or voting whilst unqualified

1. Any person who sits or votes in the Maneaba ni Maungatabu knowing or having reasonable grounds for knowing that he is not entitled to do so shall be liable to a penalty not exceeding $20 for each day upon which he so sits or votes.

2. Any such penalty shall be recoverable by civil action in the High Court at the suit of the Attorney-General.

 

62: Electoral Commission

1. There shall be an Electoral Commission consisting of a Chief Electoral Commissioner and not less than 2 nor more than 4 Commissioners.

2. The members of the Commission shall be appointed by the Beretitenti, acting in accordance with the advice of the Cabinet.

3. The name of any person appointed as a member of the Commission shall be laid before the Maneaba ni Maungatabu within 48 hours of the day on which the next meeting of the Maneaba commences, and each appointment shall stand unless the Maneaba by resolution rejects it.

4. A person shall not be qualified for appointment as a member of the Commission if he is a member of the Maneaba, and no person shall be qualified for appointment as Chief Electoral Commissioner unless he is a judge or magistrate in Kiribati.

5. A member of the Commission shall vacate his office-

a. at the expiration of five years after the date of his appointment; or

b. if any circumstances arise that, if he were not a member of the Commission, would cause him to be disqualified for appointment as such.

 

63: Functions of Electoral Commission

1. The Electoral Commission shall have general responsibility for, and shall supervise, the registration of electors for the election of members of the Maneaba ni Maungatabu and the conduct of elections of such members and of referenda under this Constitution, and the Commission shall have such other functions relating to such registration, elections and referenda as may be prescribed.

2. The Commission shall have responsibility for the conduct of elections to the office of Beretitenti under the supervision of the Chief Justice.

3. The Commission shall, at intervals of not more than 4 years, review the number of electoral districts, the boundaries of those districts, and the number of members of the Maneaba to be elected to represent each electoral district, taking account of-

a. the most recent census date for citizens of Kiribati, subject to the provisions of section 118 (4) of this Constitution; and

b. the movement of people within Kiribati.

4. Having conducted a review in accordance with the preceding subsection, the Commission shall make recommendations to the Maneaba.

5. The Maneaba may approve or reject the recommendations of the Commission under the preceding subsection but may not vary them; and, if so approved, the Chairman of the Commission shall thereupon by order under this Constitution make provision for the recommendations as have been so approved which shall have effect as from the date of the next dissolution of the Maneaba.

 

64: The franchise

1. Subject to the provisions of this section and of section 118 (3) of this Constitution, every person who-

a. is a citizen of Kiribati;

b. has attained the age of 18 years; and

c. is a person resident within an electoral district established by or under this Constitution, shall be entitled to be registered as an elector in the electoral district in which he is resident, and when so registered to vote at an election of a member of the Maneaba ni Maungatabu for that electoral district.

2. Notwithstanding the preceding subsection no person who-

a. is serving a sentence of imprisonment (by whatever name called) for a term of or exceeding 12 months imposed on him by a court in any part of the Commonwealth or substituted by competent authority for some other sentence imposed on him by such a court; or

b. is certified to be insane or otherwise adjudged to be of unsound mind under any law in force in Kiribati; or

c. is disqualified from registering as an elector or voting by any law in force in Kiribati relating to offences connected with elections, shall be registered as an elector for an electoral district or, being registered, shall be entitled to vote at an election.

3. An elector shall not be entitled to have his name retained on the register of electors for any electoral district if for a continuous period of 12 months he has ceased to be resident within the electoral district or if he becomes disqualified from voting under the preceding subsection.

 

65: Salaries of members

1. There shall be a standing independent Maneaba Members' Salaries Tribunal to review the salaries and allowances of members of the Maneaba ni Maungatabu, including the salaries and allowances of the Beretitenti, and the Kauoman-ni-Beretitenti and the other Ministers.

2. The Tribunal shall consist of not less than 3 nor more than 5 suitably qualified persons who shall be appointed, and may be removed, by the Chairman of the Public Service Commission acting after consultation with the Speaker.

3. Having conducted a review in accordance with this section, the Tribunal shall make recommendations to the Maneaba.

 

 

Part II Legislation and Procedure

 

66: Power to make laws

1. Subject to the provisions of this Constitution, the Maneaba ni Maungatabu shall have power to make laws for the peace, order and good government of Kiribati.

2. The power of the Maneaba to make laws shall be exercised by Bills passed by the Maneaba and assented to by the Beretitenti, and such laws shall be called "Acts".

3. The Beretitenti may withhold his assent to a Bill only if he is of the opinion that the Bill, if assented to, would be inconsistent with this Constitution.

4. If the Beretitenti withholds his assent to a Bill under the preceding subsection, the Bill shall be returned to the Maneaba for amendment.

5. If a Bill which has been returned to the Maneaba under the preceding subsection is again presented to the Beretitenti, and the Beretitenti is still of the opinion that the Bill, if assented to, would be inconsistent with this Constitution, the Beretitenti shall refer the Bill to the High Court for a declaration as to whether or not the Bill, if assented to, would be inconsistent with this Constitution.

6. If the High Court declares that the Bill, if assented to, would not be inconsistent with this Constitution, the Beretitenti shall assent to the Bill forthwith; if the High Court declares otherwise, the Bill shall be returned to the Maneaba.

7. An Act shall, unless it otherwise provides, come into operation on publication of assent by the Beretitenti.

8. The assent of the Beretitenti to a Bill shall be published, together with the law assented to, by exhibition at the Maneaba ni Maungatabu.

 

67: Rules of procedure

Subject to the provisions of this Constitution, the Maneaba ni Maungatabu may make rules of procedure for the regulation and orderly conduct of its proceedings.

 

68: Introduction of Bills, etc.

1. Subject to the provisions of this Constitution and of the rules of procedure of the Maneaba ni Maungatabu, any member may introduce any Bill or propose any motion for debate in, or may present any petition to, the Maneaba, and the same shall be debated and disposed of according to the rules of procedure of the Maneaba.

2. Except on the recommendation of the Cabinet signified by a Minister, the Maneaba shall not-

a. proceed upon any Bill (including any amendment to a Bill) which in the opinion of the person presiding in the Maneaba, makes provision for imposing or increasing any tax, for imposing or increasing any charge on the Consolidated Fund or other funds of Kiribati, or for altering any such charge otherwise than by reducing it, or for compounding or reducing any debt due to the Government; or

b. proceed upon any motion (including any amendment to a motion) the effect of which in the opinion of the person presiding in the Maneaba is that provision would be made for any of the purposes aforesaid.

3. The Maneaba shall not proceed on a Bill after its first reading in the Maneaba until the next following meeting of the Maneaba unless-

a. the Bill has been certified as urgent by the Beretitenti; or

b. the Maneaba expressly resolves, by a majority of all the members of the Maneaba, to proceed with consideration of the Bill.

 

69: Alteration of Constitution

1. Subject to the provisions of this Constitution, the Maneaba ni Maungatabu may by Act alter this Constitution.

2. Subject to the additional limitations specified in section 124 of this Constitution, a Bill for an Act to alter any of the provisions of this Constitution shall not be passed by the Maneaba unless-

a. consideration of the Bill is deferred after its first reading in the Maneaba until the next following meeting of the Maneaba; and

b. the Bill is supported at its second reading in the Maneaba by the votes of not less than two-thirds of all the members of the Maneaba.

3. In so far as it alters Chapter II of this Constitution, an Act under this section shall not come into operation unless the provisions contained in the Act effecting that alteration have, in accordance with any law in that behalf, been submitted to a referendum in which all persons who are registered as electors for the purposes of a general election shall be entitled to vote and unless those provisions have been supported by the votes of not less than two-thirds of all the persons entitled to vote in the referendum.

4. In this section-

a. references to this Constitution include references to any other law in so far as that law alters the Constitution;

b. references to altering this Constitution include references-

i. to repealing it with or without re-enactment thereof or the making of different provision in lieu thereof;

ii. to modifying it, whether by omitting or amending any of its provisions or inserting additional provisions in it or otherwise;

iii. to suspending its operation for any period, or terminating any such suspension; and

iv. to making any other provision that is repugnant to or otherwise inconsistent with it.

 

70: Oath of members

No member of the Maneaba ni Maungatabu shall be permitted to take part in the proceedings of the Maneaba (other than proceedings necessary for the purpose of this section) until he has made before the Maneaba an oath in the form set out in Schedule 1 to this Constitution.

 

71: The Speaker

1. There shall be a Speaker of the Maneaba ni Maungatabu.

2. The Speaker shall be elected by the members of the Maneaba from among persons who are not members of the Maneaba.

3. The Chief Justice shall preside at any sitting of the Maneaba for the purpose of the election of a Speaker and shall be responsible for the conduct of any such election.

4. A person shall vacate the office of Speaker-

a. when the Maneaba first meets after a dissolution of the Maneaba;

b. if he announces the resignation of his office to the Maneaba or if, by notice in writing addressed to the Maneaba and received by the Clerk of the Maneaba, he resigns that office;

c. if the Maneaba so resolves by resolution supported by the votes of not less than two-thirds of all the members of the Maneaba.

 

72: Presiding in Maneaba

Subject to the provisions of subsection (3) of the preceding section, the Speaker or, in his absence or when his office is vacant, a member of the Maneaba ni Maungatabu (not being the Beretitenti, a Minister or the Attorney-General) elected by the Maneaba for that sitting shall preside at each sitting of the Maneaba

 

73: Voting

1. Subject to the provisions of this Constitution, all questions proposed for decision in the Maneaba ni Maungatabu shall be determined by a majority of the votes of the members present and voting.

2. If the person presiding is-

a. the Speaker, he shall have neither an original nor a casting vote;

b. a member elected in accordance with the preceding section, he shall not have an original vote but shall have and shall exercise a casting vote if on any question the votes are equally divided.

3. Subject to subsection (2)(b) of this section, and unless otherwise provided in the rules of procedure of the Maneaba, if upon any question the votes are equally divided the motion shall be declared lost.

 

74: Quorum

1. If objection is taken by any member of the Maneaba ni Maungatabu present that there are present in the Maneaba (besides the person presiding) less than a quorum of members and, after such interval as may be prescribed in the rules of procedure of the Maneaba, the person presiding ascertains that the number of members present is still less than a quorum of members, he shall thereupon adjourn the Maneaba.

2. In this section, "a quorum of members'' means the number of members that is 1 less than one-half the total number of members of the Maneaba, or, in the event of the total number being an odd number, 1 less than the highest number that is less than one-half.

 

75: Proceedings in Maneaba

The Maneaba ni Maungatabu shall not be disqualified for the transaction of business by reason of any vacancy in its membership, and any proceedings in the Maneaba shall be valid notwithstanding that some person who was not entitled to do so took part in those proceedings.

 

76: Privileges of Maneaba

1. Subject to the provisions of this section, the Maneaba ni Maungatabu may determine the privileges, immunities and Maneaba powers of the Maneaba and of its members.

2. No civil or criminal proceedings may be instituted against any member of the Maneaba for words spoken before or written in a report to the Maneaba or a committee of the Maneaba or by reason of any matter or thing brought by him in the Maneaba or in a committee of the Maneaba.

3. No process issued by any court in the exercise of its civil jurisdiction shall be served or executed within the precincts of the Maneaba while the Maneaba is sitting.

 

 

Part III Summoning, Dissolution and Elections

 

77: Summoning of Maneaba

1. Subject to the provisions of this Constitution and of the rules of procedure of the Maneaba ni Maungatabu, each meeting of the Maneaba shall be held at such place within Kiribati and shall commence at such time as the Speaker may appoint.

2. The Beretitenti or one-third of the members of the Maneaba may, subject to the provisions of this Constitution and of the rules of procedure of the Maneaba, advise the Speaker to summon the Maneaba at any time.

3. Meetings of the Maneaba shall be held within 30 days of the second ballot in a general election and shall otherwise be held so that a period of 12 months does not intervene between the end of one meeting and the first sitting of the Maneaba in the next meeting.

 

78: Dissolution of Maneaba

1. The Maneaba ni Maungatabu shall stand dissolved-

a. if a motion of no confidence in the Beretitenti or the Government is supported in the Maneaba by the votes of a majority of all the members of the Maneaba; or

b. if, in respect of any matter before the Maneaba, the Beretitenti notifies the Speaker that a vote on that matter raises an issue of confidence, and in a subsequent vote on that matter it is rejected by a majority of all the members of the Maneaba.

2. The Maneaba, unless sooner dissolved under the preceding subsection, shall continue for 4 years from the date of the first sitting of the Maneaba after any general election and shall then stand dissolved.

 

79: General elections and by-elections

1. There shall be a general election within 3 months of every dissolution of the Maneaba ni Maungatabu.

2. Except when the Maneaba is sooner dissolved, there shall be a by-election within 3 months of a member's seat falling vacant in the Maneaba in order to fill that seat.

 

 

CHAPTER VI THE JUDICIARY

 

Part I The High Court

 

80: Establishment of a High Court

1. There shall be a High Court of Kiribati which shall be a superior court of record with such jurisdiction and powers as may be prescribed by this Constitution or by any law in force in Kiribati.

2. The judges of the High Court shall be the Chief Justice and such number of other judges, if any, as may be prescribed.

 

81: Appointment of judges of High Court

1. The Chief Justice shall be appointed by the Beretitenti, acting in accordance with the advice of the Cabinet tendered after consultation with the Public Service Commission.

2. The other judges of the High Court, if any, shall be appointed by the Beretitenti, acting in accordance with the advice of the Chief Justice sitting with the Public Service Commission.

3. A person shall not be qualified to be appointed as Chief Justice or other judge of the High Court unless he has held office as a judge in any country or has been qualified for not less than 5 years to practise as a barrister or solicitor.

 

82: Oath of judges

Every judge of the High Court shall, before entering upon the duties of his office, take and subscribe before the Beretitenti an oath in the form set out in Schedule I to this Constitution.

 

83: Tenure of office of judges of High Court

1. Subject to the provisions of this section, the office of a judge of the High Court shall become vacant upon the expiration of the period of his appointment to that office.

2. A judge of the High Court may be removed from office only for inability to discharge the functions of his office (whether arising from infirmity of body or mind or any other cause) or for misbehaviour and shall not be removed except in accordance with the provisions of the next following subsection.

3. A judge of the High Court may be removed from office by the Beretitenti in pursuance of a resolution of the Maneaba ni Maungatabu if the question of the removal of that judge has been referred to a Tribunal appointed under the next following subsection and the Tribunal has advised the Maneaba that he ought to be removed from office for inability as aforesaid or for misbehaviour.

4. If the Beretitenti considers, or the Maneaba resolves, that the question of removing a judge of the High Court from office for inability as aforesaid or for misbehaviour ought to be investigated then-

a. the Beretitenti shall appoint a Tribunal which shall consist of a Chairman and not less than 2 other members, 1 of whom holds or has held judicial office; and

b. the Tribunal shall inquire into the matter and report on the facts thereof to the Maneaba and advise the Maneaba whether that judge should be removed under this section.

5. If the question of removing a judge of the High Court from office has been referred to a Tribunal under the preceding subsection, the Beretitenti may suspend that judge from performing the functions of his office, and any such suspension may at any time be revoked by the Beretitenti and shall in any case cease to have effect if the Tribunal advises the Maneaba that that judge should not be removed from office.

 

84: Commission of High Court

1. Whenever he is satisfied that no or insufficient judges of the High Court are available to attend to the business of the High Court, the Beretitenti, acting in accordance with the advice of the Chief Justice sitting with the Public Service Commission, may appoint a person who is qualified to practise as a barrister or solicitor in Kiribati to perform-

a. all or any of the functions of a judge of the High Court either generally or in respect of any particular case or class of cases; or

b. such functions of a judge of the High Court as it shall appear to the person appointed under this section are required to be performed without delay, subject to such limitations and conditions, if any, as may be specified in the instrument of appointment.

2. A person appointed under this section shall be called a Commissioner of the High Court, and all things done by him in accordance with the terms of his appointment shall have the same validity and effect as if they had been done by a judge of the High Court and in respect thereof he shall have the same powers and enjoy the same immunities as if he had been a judge of the High Court.

 

85: Oath of Commissioners

Every Commissioner of the High Court shall, before entering upon the duties of his office, take and subscribe before the Beretitenti an oath in the form set out in Schedule 1 to this Constitution.

 

86: Judge may sit after appointment has terminated

A judge of the High Court whose appointment has terminated otherwise than by reason of his removal from office may sit as a judge of that Court for the purpose of giving judgment or otherwise in relation to any proceedings commenced before him while his appointment was subsisting.

 

87: Seal of High Court

1. The High Court shall have, and use as occasion requires, a seal bearing on it the words "The High Court of Kiribati" and such device as the Maneaba ni Maungatabu shall approve.

2. Until such time as a seal is approved such stamp as the Chief Justice may authorise shall be used in place of a seal.

 

88: Jurisdiction of High Court in constitutional questions

1. Subject to the provisions of this Constitution, if any person alleges that any provision of this Constitution (other than Chapter II) has been contravened and that his interests are being or are likely to be affected by such contravention, then, without prejudice to any other action with respect to the same matter which is lawfully available, that person may apply to the High Court for a declaration and for relief under this section.

2. The High Court shall have jurisdiction, in any application made by any person under the preceding subsection or in any other proceedings lawfully brought before the Court, to determine whether any provision of this Constitution (other than Chapter II) has been contravened and to make a declaration accordingly:

Provided that the High Court shall not make a declaration in pursuance of the jurisdiction conferred by this subsection unless it is satisfied that the interests of the person by whom the application under the preceding subsection is made or, in the case of other proceedings before the Court, a party to those proceedings, are being or are likely to be affected.

3. Where the High Court makes a declaration under the preceding subsection that any provision of this Constitution has been contravened and the person by whom the application under subsection (1) of this section was made or, in the case of other proceedings before the Court, the party in those proceedings in respect of whom the declaration is made, seeks relief, the High Court may grant to that person such remedy, being a remedy available against any person in any proceedings in the High Court under any law in force in Kiribati, as the Court considers appropriate.

4. Nothing in the foregoing provisions of this section shall confer jurisdiction on the High Court to hear or determine any such question as is referred to in section 60 or 117 of this Constitution otherwise than upon an application made in accordance with that section.

5. The High Court shall have jurisdiction to make a declaration as to whether any Bill referred to it by the Beretitenti under section 66(5) of this Constitution, if assented to, would be inconsistent with this Constitution.

6. Subject to the provisions of this Constitution, the High Court shall have original jurisdiction to hear and determine any question as to the interpretation of this Constitution:

Provided that the following authorities only are entitled to make application to the High Court under this subsection-

a. the Beretitenti, acting in accordance with the advice of the Cabinet;

b. the Attorney-General; and

c. the Speaker

 

89: High Court and subordinate courts

1. The High Court shall have jurisdiction to supervise any civil or criminal proceedings before any subordinate court and may make such orders, issue such writs and give such directions as it may consider appropriate for the purpose of ensuring that justice is duly administered by any such court.

2. Where any question as to the interpretation of any provision of this Constitution (other than Chapter II) arises in any subordinate court and the court is of the opinion that the question involves a substantial question of law, the court shall refer the question to the High Court.

3. Where any question is referred to the High Court under the preceding subsection, the High Court shall give its decision upon the question and the court in which the question arose shall dispose of the case in accordance with that decision or, if that decision is the subject of an appeal to the Court of Appeal or to the Judicial Committee, in accordance with the decision of the Court of Appeal or the Judicial Committee.

 

 

Part II The Court of Appeal

 

90: Establishment of Court of Appeal

There shall be a Court of Appeal for Kiribati which shall be a superior court of record and shall have such jurisdiction and powers to hear and determine appeals as may be conferred on it by any law in force in Kiribati.

 

91: Judges of Court of Appeal

1. The judges of the Court of Appeal shall be-

a. the Chief Justice and the other judges of the High Court; and

b. such persons, possessing the qualifications prescribed in section 81 (3) of this Constitution, as may be appointed from time to time by the Beretitenti acting in accordance with the advice of the Chief Justice sitting with the Public Service Commission.

2. An appointment under paragraph (b) of the preceding subsection shall be for a period of time or for the trial or hearing of particular causes or matters, as may be specified in the instrument of appointment.

3. The President of the Court of Appeal shall be appointed by the Beretitenti, acting in accordance with the advice of the Cabinet tendered after consultation with the Public Service Commission.

4. Any 3 judges of the Court of Appeal may exercise all the powers of the Court:

Provided that the Court may have its judgment delivered by any one of its members who is also a judge of the High Court, and if there is no such member then through the Chief Registrar.

5. Any judgment of the Court of Appeal shall be in accordance with the opinion of the majority of the judges present.

6. A judge of the Court of Appeal shall not sit as a judge of the Court on the hearing of an appeal-

a. from any decision given by himself or any decision given by any court of which he was sitting as a member; or

b. against a conviction or sentence if he was the judge by or before whom the appellant was convicted.

7. Nothing in this section shall preclude the offices of Chief Justice and President of the Court of Appeal from being held by the same person.

 

92: Oath of office

Every person appointed under section 91(1)(b) of this Constitution shall, before entering upon the duties of his office, take and subscribe before the Beretitenti an oath in the form set out in Schedule 1 to this Constitution.

 

93: Tenure of office of judges of Court of Appeal

1. Subject to the provisions of this section, the office of a judge of the Court of Appeal shall become vacant upon the expiration of the period of his appointment to that office.

2. A judge of the Court of Appeal may be removed from office only for inability to discharge the functions of his office (whether arising from infirmity of body or mind or any other cause) or for misbehaviour and shall not be removed except in accordance with the provisions of the next following subsection.

3. A judge of the Court of Appeal may be removed from office by the Beretitenti in pursuance of a resolution of the Maneaba ni Maungatabu if the question of the removal of that judge from office has been referred to a Tribunal appointed under the next following subsection and the Tribunal has advised the Maneaba that he ought to be removed from office for inability as aforesaid or for misbehaviour.

4. If the Beretitenti considers, or the Maneaba resolves, that the question of removing a judge of the Court of Appeal from office for inability as aforesaid or for misbehaviour ought to be investigated, then-

a. the Beretitenti shall appoint a Tribunal which shall consist of a Chairman and not less than 2 other members, 1 of whom holds or has held high judicial office; and

b. the Tribunal shall inquire into the matter and report on the facts thereof to the Maneaba and advise the Maneaba whether that judge should be removed under this section.

5. If the question of removing a judge of the Court of Appeal from office has been referred to a Tribunal under the preceding subsection, the Beretitenti may suspend that judge from performing the functions of his office, and any such suspension may at any time be revoked by the Beretitenti and shall in any case cease to have effect if the Tribunal advises the Maneaba that that judge should not be removed from office.

 

94: Judge may sit after appointment has terminated

A judge of the Court of Appeal whose appointment has terminated otherwise than by reason of his removal from office may sit as a judge of that Court for the purpose of giving judgment or otherwise in relation to any proceedings commenced before him while his appointment was subsisting.

 

95: Seal of Court of Appeal

1. The Court of Appeal shall have, and use as occasion requires, a seal bearing on it the words "The Court of Appeal of Kiribati" and such device as the Maneaba ni Maungatabu shall approve.

2. Until such time as a seal is approved such stamp as the President of the Court of Appeal may authorise shall be used in place of a seal.

 

 

Part III General

 

96: Court officers

1. There shall be such registrars and other officers of the High Court and the Court of Appeal as the Chief Justice, subject to any law in force in Kiribati, may appoint, and every such registrar or other officer shall discharge such duties as may b e prescribed by law or by rules of court or as a judge of the High Court or of the Court of Appeal may direct:

Provided that a judge may, subject to any directions given by the Chief Justice, appoint a person temporarily to discharge, in relation to any case or matter, the duties of a registrar or other officer of the High Court or the Court of Appeal, and such person shall discharge such duties accordingly.

2. Any appointment made under this section may, at any time, be determined by the Chief Justice, acting after consultation with the Public Service Commission.

 

97: Rules of Court

There shall be a Rules Committee, consisting of the Chief Justice, the President of the Court of Appeal, and the Attorney-General (who shall constitute a quorum) and such other persons, not exceeding 2 in number, as the Beretitenti may appoint, which may make rules of court regulating the practice and procedure of the High Court and the Court of Appeal, the admission of legal practitioners to practise in Kiribati, prescribing the fees to be paid in respect of any proceedings and generally for making provision for the proper and effectual exercise of the jurisdiction of the High Court and the Court of Appeal, including the procedure for the making and hearing of appeals to the High Court from subordinate courts and for the making and hearing of appeals from the High Court to the Court of Appeal:

Provided that rules prescribing or affecting the amount of any fees or the recovery thereof shall not come into operation unless approved, either before or after being made, by the Maneaba ni Maungatabu.

 

 

CHAPTER VII

THE PUBLIC SERVICE

 

98: Public Service Commission

1. There shall be a Public Service Commission which shall consist of a Chairman and 4 other Commissioners who shall be appointed, and may be removed, by the Beretitenti, acting in accordance with the advice of the Speaker and the Chief Justice acting jointly.

2. The Commissioners shall be appointed for 3 years or for such lesser period as may be specified by the Beretitenti in their respective instruments of appointment.

3. A person shall be disqualified for appointment as a Commissioner if he is a member of the Maneaba ni Maungatabu or a public employee.

4. A person shall not, while he holds or is acting in the office of a Commissioner or within a period of 18 months commencing with the date on which he last held or acted in that office, be eligible for appointment to or to act in any public office.

5. The office of a Commissioner shall become vacant-

a. at the expiration of the period of his appointment;

b. if he becomes a member of the Maneaba; or

c. if he is removed from office in accordance with subsection (1) of this section.

 

99: Appointments, etc. of public employees

1. Subject to the provisions of this Constitution power to make appointments to public offices, and to remove and to exercise disciplinary control over persons holding or acting in such offices, is vested in the Beretitenti, acting in accordance with the advice of the Public Service Commission.

2. The Beretitenti may delegate to the Public Service Commission his power to make appointment to certain public offices or certain classes of public office.

3. The Public Service Commission shall have such other functions as may be prescribed.

 

100: Appointment of certain public employees

1. Power to make appointments to the offices of Secretary to the Cabinet and Secretary to a department of government, and power to transfer the holders of such offices to other posts of equivalent rank, is vested in the Beretitenti, acting after consultation with the Public Service Commission.

2. Power to make appointments to the office of Director of Audit is vested in the Beretitenti, acting in accordance with the advice of the Public Service Commission.

3. Power to make appointments to the office of Commissioner of Police is vested in the Beretitenti, acting in accordance with the advice of the Cabinet tendered after consultation with the Public Service Commission.

 

101: Tenure of office of certain public employees

1. The provisions of this section shall apply in relation to persons holding the offices of Director of Audit and Commissioner of Police.

2. Subject to the provisions of this section a person to whom this section applies shall vacate his office when he attains the age of 55 years.

Provided that the Beretitenti may permit a person to whom this section applies who attains the age of 55 years to continue in office until he has attained such later age as may have been agreed between the Beretitenti and that person.

3. A person to whom this section applies may be removed from office only for inability to discharge the functions of his office (whether arising from infirmity of body or mind or any other cause) or for misbehaviour and shall not be so removed except in accordance with the provisions of the next following subsection.

4. A person to whom this section applies shall be removed from office by the Beretitenti if the question of his removal from office has been referred to a Tribunal appointed under the next following subsection and the Tribunal has recommended to the Beretitenti that he ought to be removed from office for inability as aforesaid or for misbehaviour.

5. If the Beretitenti considers that the question of removing a person to whom this section applies from office for inability as aforesaid or for misbehaviour ought to be investigated, then-

a. the Beretitenti shall appoint a Tribunal which shall consist of a Chairman who is a person who holds or has held judicial office, and not less than 2 other members; and

b. that Tribunal shall inquire into the matter and report on the facts thereof to the Beretitenti and recommend to the Beretitenti whether the person ought to be removed from office for inability as aforesaid or for misbehaviour.

6. If the question of removing the Commissioner of Police has been referred to a Tribunal under the preceding subsection the Beretitenti, acting in accordance with the advice of the Chairman of the Public Service Commission, may suspend the Commissioner from performing the functions of his office and any such suspension may at any time be revoked by the Beretitenti acting as aforesaid, and shall in any case cease to have effect if the Tribunal recommends to the Beretitenti that the Commissioner should not be removed.

7. The provisions of this section shall not apply in relation to a person appointed to act in any office referred to in subsection (1) of this section during any period when that office is vacant or the holder thereof is unable to perform the functions of his office; and the appointment of such a person may be revoked by the Public Service Commission at any time before the expiration of that period.

 

102: Appointment, etc., of junior police officers

1. Power to make appointments to any office in the Kiribati Police below the rank of Assistant Superintendent, and to remove and to exercise disciplinary control over persons holding or acting in such offices, is vested in the Commissioner of Police.

2. There shall be a right of appeal to the Public Service Commission from any decision of the Commissioner of Police in exercise of his power of removal or disciplinary control under the preceding subsection.

3. The Commissioner of Police may subject to such conditions as he thinks fit, delegate any of his powers under subsection (1) of this section, by directions in writing, to any other officer of the Kiribati Police.

 

103: Applicability of pensions law

1. Subject to the provisions of section 105 of this Constitution, the law applicable to the grant and payment to any person, or to his widow, children, dependents or personal representatives, of any pension, gratuity or other like allowance (in this section and sections 104 and 105 of this Constitution referred to as an "award") in respect of the service of that person in a public office shall be that in force on the relevant day or any later law not less favourable to the person concerned.

2. For the purposes of this section the relevant day is-

a. in relation to an award granted before Independence Day, the day on which the award was granted;

b. in relation to an award granted or to be granted on or after Independence Day to or in respect of a person who was a public employee before that day, the day immediately before that day;

c. in relation to an award granted or to be granted to or in respect of a person who first becomes a public employee on or after Independence Day, the day on which he becomes a public employee.

3. For the purposes of this section, in so far as the law applicable to an award depends on the option of the person to or in respect of whom it is granted or to be granted, the law for which he opts shall be taken to be more favourable to him than any other law for which he might have opted.

 

104: Pensions etc. charged on the Consolidated Fund

Awards granted under any law in force in Kiribati are (except so far as they are a charge on some other fund and are duly paid out of that fund to the person to whom payment is due) hereby charged on and shall be paid out of the Consolidated Fund.

 

105: Grant and withholding of pensions, etc.

1. The power to grant any award under any pensions law in force in Kiribati (other than an award to which, under that law, the person to whom it is payable is entitled as of right) and, in accordance with any provisions in that behalf in any such law, to withhold, reduce in amount or suspend any award payable under any such law shall vest in the Beretitenti, acting in accordance with the advice of the Public Service Commission.

2. In this section, "pensions law"