Nauru loss of confidence in former Magistrate
On the 19th January 2014, the Republic of Nauru
removed from Nauru Mr. Peter Law. Mr. Law was the Resident
Magistrate and Registrar of the Supreme Court. His
appointment to those offices was terminated prior to Mr. Law being
removed from Nauru.
The removal of Mr, Law was predicated on the Government of Nauru
losing confidence in the ability of Mr. Law to hear matters in a
manner considered to be fair and equal.
Prior to his termination, a number of complaints against Mr. Law
were raised by former governments, members of the public and
judiciary staff. The complaints included inappropriate behavior
towards staff, improper conduct towards staff, drunk and disorderly
behavior, allegations of interfering in cases, advising aggrieved
parties on how to conduct their cases, dereliction of performing
his duties as a magistrate, undermining senior public servants, and
exclusion of certain members of the judiciary staff from needed
training, to name a few.
These serious complaints put into question the confidence that
the Government of Nauru had in Mr. Law. It is important that
Justice is not only done but seen to be done, the Government of
Nauru deemed it appropriate that Mr. Law leave Nauru as soon as
possible before any more damage is done to the reputation and good
standing of the Nauru Judiciary.