Questions about judicial independence of Nauru's new court

The Nauru Government is delighted with its plans for a Court of Appeal but one of the island's former chief justices has some reservations.

Nauru's Justice Minister David Adeang says the court, which will replace the Australian High Court as the last court of appeal for Nauruans, will improve access to justice for Nauruans.

But Justice Geoffrey Eames says it will depend on whether the government can ensure the independence of the judiciary.

He told Don Wiseman that this was certainly not the case four years ago when he was ignominiously removed as chief justice.