Nauru Dismisses its Only Australian Magistrate

The Nauru government has sacked its only magistrate and denied its Australian Chief Justice a visa to re-enter the country. This action has thrown the Nauruan justice system into disarray as many asylum seeker cases are now in limbo without proper adjudicative authority.

On the 19th January, the Nauru government moved against their Magistrate, Peter Law, terminating his employment and escorting him to the airport without the opportunity to pack his bags. An injunction aimed at preventing Mr Law’s removal was issued by Nauru’s Chief Justice, Geoffrey Eames, who believes that the removal was politically motivated. The government has ignored the injunction and cancelled the Chief Justice’s visa, apparently on the order of Nauruan President, Baron Waqa. 

The Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade has confirmed that Mr Law has been sent back to Australia but was unclear as to the reason. ''We understand Magistrate Peter Law was deported from Nauru this afternoon. This is a matter for the Nauru government,'' a department spokesperson said in a statement.

Mr Law was due to hear the court case of the 152 asylum seekers charged over riots at the detention centre in July last year.

The move against the Mr Law came after he had issued two injunctions restraining the government from deporting two residents without giving them any reason or right to challenge the decision. Mr Waqa told Mr Eames on Sunday that Mr Law was being deported because he was the subject of allegations of misbehaviour by a former member of staff.

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Courts in crisis as Nauru sacks its only magistrate