Tuvalu Island Courts Bench Book - Federal Court of Australia

1 Criminal Jurisdiction of the Island Court
See ss5 and 6 and Schedule 2 Island Courts Act (Cap 3).
Island Courts can only hear and determine summary offences punishable by a maximum
sentence of:
• 6 months imprisonment; or
• a fine of $100; or
• both: s6 Island Courts Act (Cap 3).
Additionally, Island Courts may hear and determine the specific offences listed in Schedule 2 to
the Island Courts Act (Cap 3), provided that the sentence passed by the Island Court does not
exceed:
• 6 months imprisonment; or
• a fine of $100; or
• both: s6 Island Courts Act (Cap 3).
In practice, the Police will decide which Court will hear the more serious cases.
2 Offences
Certain offences are more frequently before the Island Court, particularly offences involving:
• alcohol;
• driving; and
• sanitation.
You need to know and understand the most common offences very well. They are contained in
the following Acts, which you should study:
• Penal Code (Cap 8);
• Public Order Act (Cap 9);
• Alcoholic Drinks Act (Cap 69);
• Traffic Act (Cap 71);
• Public Health Act (Cap 35).
Tuvalu Island Courts Bench Book June 2004