David Lambourne, standing right, sworn in as second the Judge to the High Court - Botaki ni Kabowi I Kiribati. 15 July 2024 Photo: Facebook / New Zealand High Commission to Kiribati
The Kiribati Court of Appeal is set to hear an appeal from Judge David Lambourne next month.
Judge Lambourne left the country in May this year after a lengthy battle with the government, which wanted him out.
Lambourne, whose wife, Tessie, was the opposition leader at the time, left the country ahead of being deported.
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The Court of Appeal is comprised of prominent Pacific jurists: Papua New Guinea's Chief Justice Sir Gibbs Salika, Vui Clarence Nelson of Samoa's Supreme Court, and Mohammed Khan from Fiji.
The appeal will focus on the High Court's decision to uphold President Taneti Maamau's appointment of a tribunal to investigate Lambourne and his subsequent suspension.
Also to be considered is the High Court's refusal to consider the judge's application to quash the tribunal's report.
In addition, the justices will hear the President's appeal against the part of the High Court's judgment, which ruled that it was unlawful to withhold Lambourne's salary during his suspension.
Lambourne said his lawyers will be appearing by video-link. While he had hoped to be in Tarawa for the hearing, he has not heard back about his visa application.
The appeal hearing is on 3 December.