Tuvalu Island Courts Bench Book - Federal Court of Australia

The Constitution gives immunity to members of Parliament. No civil or criminal proceedings
can be instituted against a member of Parliament for:
• words spoken in or included in a report to Parliament or a committee of Parliament; or
• any other matter or thing brought by the member of Parliament or a committee.
The Judiciary
The Judiciary is the third branch of government in Tuvalu. It:
• is an independent body which is responsible for interpreting and applying Parliament’s
laws;
• develops and interprets case law;
• solves disputes of fact and law between individuals, and between individuals and the
State.
The Judiciary comprises:
• Island Courts Magistrates;
• Justices of the Lands Courts;
• members of the Lands Appeal Panel;
• Magistrates from the Magistrates’ Courts;
• the Senior Magistrate;
• the Chief Justice;
• Justices of the Court of Appeal; and
• the Sovereign in Council (acting by and with the advice of the Judicial Committee of the
Privy Council).
Tuvalu Island Courts Bench Book June 2004