Courts and Civil Procedure in the South Pacific

This book compares the conduct of civil cases in countries of the South Pacific. It explains the practical application of civil procedures in the context of the courts in which they operate. The text focuses on the rules that apply in the superior courts of Fiji, Kiribati, Samoa, Solomon Islands, Tonga, Tuvalu and Vanuatu. An introductory chapter explains the origin of the rules and the factors that link and differentiate them. The preliminary considerations that should be weighed before proceedings are instituted are highlighted. In a separate chapter, the constitution and civil jurisdiction of the courts are explained. Legislative and case law developments are also discussed. The book also has a chapter on alternative ways of resolving civil disputes. The text describes recent changes to the rules and suggests further reforms that might be considered by South Pacific rule making bodies. The book is designed for use by legal practitioners and scholars interested in civil procedure in the South Pacific region. It is also of use to teachers and students of South Pacific civil procedure, both at degree level and in professional legal training programmes. About the authors: Professor David Bamford is Associate Head (International) for the Faculty of Education, Humanities, and Law at Flinders University. From 2007 to 2012 he served as Dean of the Law School. Before David joined the Faculty he was a practising lawyer in the areas of general civil litigation, workers compensation and industrial law. Professor Jennifer Corrin is the Director of the Centre for Public, International & Comparative Law and a Professor in the TC Beirne School of Law at The University of Queensland. Before joining The University of Queensland, Jennifer spent six years at the University of the South Pacific, having joined the Faculty after nine years in her own legal firm in Solomon Islands. She retains strong links with the profession and is a life member of Solomon Islands Bar Association. Jennifer is a member of the Editorial Board of the Journal of Legal Pluralism, a member of the International Editorial Board of the Journal of South Pacific Law, and a member of the Editorial Board of the Comparative Law Journal of the Pacific.