OFFICE OF THE PUBLIC LEGAL DEFENDER
Providing Nauruans with quality legal representation and access to justice
- who may be charged or have been charged with a criminal offence;
- who need aid, advice and assistance in respect of legal proceedings under any other Act; or
- where the Nauru Court of Appeal, Supreme Court of Nauru or District Court requests or is required under a written law to assign a legal representative to represent a person in a court proceeding.
HOW WE ARE FUNDED
GUIDELINES
The Director, in consultation with the Secretary, established and published the Guidelines. The Guidelines provide the criteria for providing legal services.
The Guidelines provide a clear statement of the manner in which the Office provides assistance to the applicants. The requirements are publicly stated so that everyone is able to question the decision of the Office on their application.
Members of the public are encouraged to consult our Office even for the purposes of getting preliminary opinions of their legal issues and concerns. We extend our services in such situations to enable any applicant to take appropriate action or further advice.Publications
Date: 05/07/24 before Justice Kiniviliame Keteca.
Counsels: M Suifa’asia (ODPP) and S Hazelman (OPLD).
Charge: Causing Harm to a Police Officer.
Purpose: Judgment.
Minutes: Judgment read out.
Outcome: Client acquitted of Causing Harm to a Police Officer but found guilty of the lesser offence of Obstructing Public Official.
Pre-Sentence Report is to be filed by 12/07/24. Counsels are to file Sentencing submissions by 19/07/24.
26/07/24 for Sentence
Counsels: K Itsimaera (ODPP) and L Solomon (OPLD).
Charge: Intentionally Causing Harm.
Purpose: Hearing
Minutes: Prosecution called two witnesses. Both witnesses gave evidence that they do not wish to pursue this complaint any longer. They confirmed that they were not forced or induced to withdraw their complaint.
Prosecution closed their case
Defence applied for No Case to Answer Outcome: Court ruled that there is no case to answer. Charges against the Accused persons are dismissed.
All Accused persons are acquitted.
No written Ruling
Sentencing Ruling – Republic v BR [Cr No: 03/24] – Supreme Court
Sentencing Ruling – Republic v Randy Doguape & Ors [Cr No: 13/24] – DC
FORMS
FAQs
The role of the Office is to provide legal representation to eligible persons in the courts of Nauru and to provide legal services to the public.
Nauruan citizens, asylum seekers and refugees are eligible for legal representation in the courts of Nauru.
The Office represents clients in criminal cases, family cases and limited civil cases in the courts of Nauru.
Legal services such as giving legal advice and attestation of documents are available for everyone.
Free legal assistance can be obtained upon the filling up of an application form at the Office and if a person is eligible
There are no legal fees that need to be paid to lawyers in the Office.
The only fees that need to be paid by clients are court fees, maintenance payments, costs, debt recovery and fines which are paid to the Court Registry or to the opposing party.
For criminal cases; the Information, the Charge Sheet, depositions and disclosures need to be provided to the lawyers.
Yes, provided that a person is an eligible person and that it is a criminal case, a family case or a limited civil case.
Yes, a request can be made to the police officers to contact a lawyer from the Office to give legal advice.
You can contact a lawyer from the Office and ask if they can render legal assistance.
The Director of Public Legal Defender can be contacted on 5573506 and the Government Lawyer can be contacted on 5573387.
OUR TEAM
Ravuanimasei Tagivakatini
Director of the Office of the Public Legal Defender
Shantel Hazelman
Principal Public Legal Defender
Lisa Solomon
Pleader
Chloe Adeang
Pleader
Princess Honey Duburiya
Paralegal
OUR LOCATION
Department of Justice and Border Control
Yaren District
Republic of Nauru