The DJBC initiated a policy in order to satisfy Article 10(3)(e)
of the Constitution, where accused persons have the right to be
legally represented in court. As a result, free legal services are
now provided to citizens and residents of Nauru.
An increase in personnel and resources in the following years
paved the way for the legal establishment of the Office via the
Criminal Procedure (Amendment) Act 2016.
As the legal literacy rate in Nauru improved, the Office
encountered an increase in enquiries, requests and handling of
cases in areas of criminal, family and civil laws.
Litigation of criminal, family and civil cases in the Nauru
courts remained the prime activity of the Office during the
Reporting Period.
The Office has also been assisting in the preparation of
statutory declarations, certification of documents, witnessing of
affidavits, drafting of letters, brokering correspondences and
general advice on criminal, civil and family matters for Nauruans
on island and abroad.
Although the COVID-19 pandemic has put a halt to overseas
training, workshops and meetings, staff of OPLD attend Webinars
such as the Pacific Judicial Strengthening Initiative on Legal Aid
where the Director proposed for a regional Legal Aid body to be
established, in order to address and discuss issues and challenges
facing Legal Aid offices.
Our Team
| Position |
Name |
| Director of Public Legal Defender |
Ravuanimasei Tagivakatini |
| Principal Public Legal Defender |
Vacant |
| Senior Public Defender |
Thomson Lee |
| Public Defender |
Francilia Akubor |
| Pleader (Public Defender) |
Vacant |
| Paralegal (Public Defender) |
Lisa Solomon |
| Intern |
Regina Deidenang |
Objectives
- To provide free legal services to the citizens and residents of
the Republic of Nauru.
Motivation
Do not be economical with the truth.
Strategic Plan Priority Area 4: Cost Cutting
Sectors
Cross-Goal 1
Strengthen Parliament, audit, justice, law, order and border
control.
Achievements
Office Policy Guideline
An Office Policy Guideline has been drafted by OPLD in order to
address issues that the officers face. Once it is implemented, it
will clearly demarcate the boundaries of the Office and will be
adhered to strictly.
The Guideline will help to prevent misunderstanding and lack of
communication among OPLD staff, eliminate hasty, unrefined
decisions in personal matters and assure uniformity and fairness
throughout the practice.
It also aims to provide useful information for the provision of
legal aid services within OPLD, aiming to prescribe substantive
legal aid policies and processes.
Continuing Legal Education
On 27 November 2020, the Director facilitated a session of the
Continuing Legal Education (CLE) initiative for the Nauru Law
Society. The presentation aimed at building the knowledge of legal
practitioners on legislation that were amended on 23 October 2020
such as the Bail Act 2018, Criminal Procedure Act 1972,
District Court Act 2018, Supreme Court Act 2018, Nauru Court of
Appeal Act 2018 and Oaths, Affirmations and Statutory Declarations
Act 1976.
Way Forward
- The goals for 2021 and beyond are to address the above
challenges and continue improving in the relevant areas. The Office
Policy Guideline, which has been in its draft stages for more than
6 months, is currently at its concluding stages and once approved
by the Secretary for Justice, it will provide much-needed guidance
for the daily operations of the Office.
- Awareness has mostly been done by word of mouth but we intend
to educate the public about the Office and also about the recent
changes in the law, especially the Bail Act 2018. The public needs
to understand the gravity of these offences and that incarceration
is almost inevitable now. Hence, the Office is intending to conduct
awareness via Nauru Radio and to speak to secondary school students
on the above issues.
- Capacity building remains an important goal for the Office, so
it is imperative that Nauruans are able to access legal courses and
legal training. The Office will continue to play its role in this
aspect, especially with the 2021 Pleaders Course.
- The Office strives to continue its progress into a more
efficient service provider and the onus is on all officers to
maintain and improve the expected standard.