Judiciary of Palau

The judiciary of Palau is a branch of the government of Palau that interprets and applies the laws of Palau, as modified by custom and tradition, to ensure equal justice under law, and to provide a mechanism for dispute resolution. The judiciary comprises a four-member Supreme Court, a Court of Common Pleas, and a Land Court. The Supreme Court has a trial division and an appellate division and is presided over by the Chief Justice, assisted by two Associate Justices in the Appellate Division and three Justices in the Trial Division. A number of ad hoc part-time Associate Justices are invited to sit on an as-needed basis.

The Trial Division sits in Koror, the largest town of Palau, while Appellate Division hears most arguments in the capital, Ngerulmud. Cases are adjudicated by a single justice in the Trial Division and appeals are heard by three other justices as a panel in the Appellate Division. The Trial Division has jurisdiction over all civil matters over $10,000 and criminal matters not assigned to the Court of Common Pleas and adjudication of land interests. The Supreme Court also handles disciplinary and other special proceedings.