REPUBLIC OF THE MARSHALL ISLANDS LAW REPORTS

 

VOLUME 1 (REV.)

 

Opinions and Selected Orders August 1982 through June 1993

 

Published by:

 

Carl B. Ingram

Chief Justice, High Court

P.O. Box B

Majuro, MH 96960, Marshall Islands

Tel. 692-625-3201/3297; Fax 692-625-3323

Email: rmicourts@ntamar.net

 

December 4, 2004

(revised December 31, 2007)

 

CITE THIS VOLUME 

1 MILR (Rev.) _____

 

TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

Table of Contents

Publisher's 1993 Note to the Marshall Islands Law Reports Vol. 1

Publisher's 2004 Note to the Marshall Islands Law Reports Vol. 1 (Rev.) and Vol. 2

Table of Cases

 

Publisher's 1993 Note to the Marshall Islands Law Reports Vol. 1

 

The development and proper operation of a judicial system in which decisions are based upon precedent, as well as upon the constitution, statutes, customary law and traditional practice, demand that court decisions interpreting and applying the sources of law be readily available for the information and guidance of concerned persons. These include citizens, government officials, members of the Nitijela, judges and lawyers. Other than a slim volume reporting a few selected decisions of the High Court, published under the direction of Chief Justice John C. Lanham in 1985, decisions of the courts of record of the Marshall Islands have not heretofore conveniently been available. This volume will remedy that deficiency with respect to the decisions of the Supreme Court issued prior to mid-1993.

 

The able assistance of Ms. Linda Wingenbach of the Micronesian Legal Services Corporation and Ms. Jerrlyn Sengabau of Palau and the William S. Richardson School of Law, in drafting summaries and digests for many of the earlier cases in this volume, is gratefully acknowledged.

 

Special thanks for their extensive efforts in preparing the material in this volume for publication are extended to the staff of the High Court and to my extraordinary secretary, Mrs. Clara Kam.

 

Clinton R. Ashford

Chief Justice, Supreme Court

 

Publisher's 2004 Note to the Marshall Islands Law Reports Vol. 1 (Rev.) and Vol. 2

 

As the late Supreme Court Justice Clinton R. Ashford noted in the preface to the 1993 Marshall Islands Law Reports ("MILR") "[t]he development and proper operation of a judicial system in which decisions are based upon precedent, as well as upon the constitution, statutes, customary law and traditional practice, demand that court decisions interpreting and applying the sources of law be readily available for the information and guidance of concerned persons." However, since the 1993 publication of the MILR, the decisions of the Supreme Court have not been published or made readily available. The 2004 revision of Volume 1 incorporates decisions included in the original MILR Vol. 1 and decisions issued prior to mid-1993 that were not located for the MILR's publication. Volume 2 incorporates decisions issued after mid-1993 publication through mid-2004.

 

The revised Volume 1 and Volume 2 follow the format, and are built upon the foundation, established by Justice Ashford and his colleagues who produced the 1993 MILR. To them all legal practitioners in the Marshall Islands owe a debt of gratitude, and I would like to take this opportunity to recognize their contributions and to thank them.

 

Also, my thanks go to High Court staff who assisted me in locating decisions, especially Assistant Clerk of the Courts Ms. Lena Tiobech, and special thanks go to Supreme Court Chief Justice Daniel N. Cadra, High Court Associate Justice Richard Hickson, and President of the Marshall Islands Bar Association, Scott H. Stege, who assisted in proof-reading revised Volume 1 and Volume 2, although all errors are my own.

 

Carl B. Ingram

Chief Justice, High Court

 

 

 

TABLE OF CASES

 

1	In Re Nitijela Dis. Act of 1981, 1 MILR 1 (Aug 13, 1982) S.Ct. Civil No. 82-01	1
2	Abner, et al., v. Jibke, et al., 1 MILR 3 (Aug 6, 1984) S.Ct. Civil No. 82-02 (High Court Ct. Civil No. 1982-021)	3
3	Ebot v. Jablotok, 1 MILR 8 (Aug 6, 1984) S.Ct. Civil No. 83-01 (High Ct. Civil No. 1982-049)	8
4	Jablotok v. Ebot (Appendix), 1 MILR 13 (Oct 22, 1985) Certiorari No. C-5-84 (S.Ct. Civil No. 83-01) (High Ct. Civil No. 1982-049)	13
5	RMI v. Digno (Aug 6 1984) S.Ct. Crim. No. 83-01 (High Ct. Civil No. 1982-008)	18
6	Lorennij v. Muller, 1 MILR 18 (Aug 31, 1985) S.Ct. Civil No. 85-01 (High Ct. Nos. 1983-057)	21
7	Kabua v. High Court, et al. (1), 1 MILR 21 (Jan 23, 1986) S.Ct. Civil No. 85-06 (High Ct. Nos. 1984-098 and Nos. 1984-098 and - 102)	23
8	Carolson Com. Corp. v. Sawej Bros. Co., 1 MILR 20 (Feb 4, 1986) S.Ct. Civil No. 84-01 (High Ct. No. 1984-081)	24
9	Kabua v. High Court, et al. (2), 1 MILR 23 (Mar 17, 1986) S.Ct. Civil No. 85-05 (Original action concerning High Ct. No. 1984-098, -102, and -088)	27
10	Kabua, et al., v. H.Ct. Chief Justice, et al., 1 MILR 28 (Mar 20, 1986) S.Ct. Civil No. 86-06 (Original Action)	33
11	RMI v. Menke (Jun 24, 1986) S.Ct. Crim. No. 84-01 (High Ct. Crim No. 1984-007)	36
12	RMI v. Kabua (Jul 5, 1986) S.Ct. Crim. No. 85-02 (High Ct. Crim. No. 1984-023)	39
13	RMI v. Langley (Jul 22, 1986) S.Ct. Crim. No. 85-01 (High Ct. Crim. No. 1985-023)	45
14	RMI v. Balos, et al. (1), 1 MILR 31 (Jul 25, 1986) S.Ct. Civil No. 86-09 (High Ct. Civil No. 1986-044)	53
15	Leon, et al., v. Balos (Oct 26, 1986) S.Ct. Civil No. 85-07 (High Ct. No. 1983-073)	55
16	USA Small Bus. Adm. V. Trans Atoll Ser. Corp., et al., 1 MILR 33 (Nov 12, 1986) S.Ct. Civil No. 86-11 (High Ct. Civil No. 1984-072)	57
17	Leon v. RMI, et al., 1MILR 35 (Jan 27, 1987) S.Ct. Civil No. 85-03 (High Ct. Civil No. 1984-008)	59
18	Enos and Enos v. RMI, et al., 1 MILR 39 (Jan 29, 1987) S.Ct. Civil No. 85-04 (High Ct. Civil No. 1984-007)	63
19	RMI v. Balos, et al. (2), 1 MILR 43 (Jan 30, 1987) S.Ct. Civil No. 87-01 (High Ct. Civil No. 1986-044)	67
20	Lokkon v. Nakap, 1 MILR 45 (Feb 5, 1987) S.Ct. Civil No. 86-01 (High Ct. Civil No. 1982-006)	69
21	RMI v. Waltz (Mar 2, 1987) S.Ct. Crim. Nos. 86-03d and -02 (High Ct. Crim. Nos. 1986-189 and - 191)	74
22	Jejo v. Lobo (1) (Mar 23, 1987) S.Ct. Civil No. 86-12 (High Ct. Civil No. 1984-024)	80
23	Tobeller v. David, 1 MILR 49 (Apr 6, 1987) S.Ct. Civil No. 86-03 (High Ct. Civil No. 1985-008)	81
24	TT Soc. Sec. Sys. Board v. Kabua, 1 MILR 51 (Nov 12, 1987) S.Ct. Civil No. 87-04 (High Ct. Civil No. 1987-007)	83
25	Bokmej v. Lang and Jamore, 1 MILR 53 (Nov 13, 1987) S.Ct. Civil No. 87-02 (High Ct. Civil No. 1986-134)	85
26	RMI v. Bokmej (Nov 27, 1987) S.Ct. Crim. No. 86-01 (High Ct. Crim. No. 1986-021)	87
27	Domnick v. Zaion (Feb 24, 1988) S.Ct. Civil No. 86-07 (High Ct. Civil No. 1985-054)	89
28	Jerilong, et al., v. Hazzard, 1 MILR 54 (Feb 25, 1988) S.Ct. Civil No. 86-04 (High Ct. Civil No. 1984-053)	90
29	Korok v. Lok, et al., 1 MILR 57 (Feb 25, 1988) S.Ct. Civil No. 86-08 (High Ct. Civil No. 1987-013)	93
30	Kabua v. Kabua, et al., 1 MILR 60 (Apr 18, 1988) S.Ct. Civil No. 86-08 (High Ct. Civil Nos. 1984-098 and 1984-102)	96
31	Lejeman v. Laakbel, 1 MILR 80 (May 4, 1988) S.Ct. Civil No. 86-13 (High Ct. Civil No. 1985-059)	117
32	RMI v. Balos, et al. (3), 1 MILR 84 (May 4, 1988) S.Ct. Civil No. 87-06 (High Ct. Civil No. 1986-044)	120
33	Heine v. Radio Station WSZO and GM, 1 MILR 86 (Jun 6, 1988) S.Ct. Civil No. 87-07 (High Ct. Civil No. 1987-146)	122
34	Adding v. MI Chief Elec. Off. (Mar 31, 1989) S.Ct. Civil No. 88-05 (High Ct. Civil No. 1987-163)	126
35	Jejo v. Lobo (2), 1 MILR 90 (Apr 6, 1989) S.Ct. Civil No. 88-10 (High Ct. Civil No. 1984-024)	127
36	Jacob v. MI Chief Elec. Off. (Apr 13, 1989) S.Ct. Civil No. 88-07 (High Ct. Civil No. 1987-165)	128
37	Piamon v. Lanitur-Bulele, 1 MILR 91 (Jun 9, 1989) S.Ct. Civil No. 89-01 (High Ct. Civil No. 1988-146)	129
38	Premier Film and Equipment, Inc. v. McQuinn (Jun 13, 1989) S.Ct. Civil No. 88-09 (High Ct. Civil No. 1983-073)	131
39	Konelios v. MI Chief Elec. Off. (Jul 10, 1989) S.Ct. Civil No. 88-06 (High Ct. Civil No. 1987-164)	132
40	RMI v. Balos, et al. (4) (Jul 17, 1989) S.Ct. Civil No. 86-10 (High Ct. Civil No. 1986-044)	133
41	MIDC and Leon v. MALGOV and RMI (1) (Jul 29, 1989) S.Ct. Civil No. 89-05 (High Ct. Civil No. 1988-38)	135
42	Balos, et al., v. H.Ct. Chief Justice, 1 MILR 93 (Aug 2, 1989) S.Ct. Civil No. 87-05 (High Ct. Civil Nos. 1987-108, -109, -110)	137
43	Clanton, et al., v. MI Chief Elec. Off. (1), 1 MILR 101 (Aug 2, 1989) S.Ct. Civil No. 88-03/02 (High Ct. Civil No. 1987-159 and - 161)	146
44	Clanton, et al., v. MI Chief Elec. Off. (2), 1 MILR 111 (Aug 2, 1989) S.Ct. Civil No. 88-04 (High Ct. Civil 1988-010)	156
45	Navarro and Velasco v. Chief of Police, 1 MILR 121 (Aug 2, 1989) S.Ct. Civil No. 88-08 (High Ct. Civil No. 1987-159)	161
46	Clanton v. MI Chief Elec. Off. (3), 1 MILR 116 (Aug 2, 1989) S.Ct. Civil No. 89-02 (High Ct. Civil Nos. 1988-084 and - 082)	167
47	Mwedriktok v. Langijota and Abija, 1 MILR 126 (Aug 15, 1989) S.Ct. Civil No. 88-01 (High Ct. Civil No. 1987-012)	172
48	Les Northup Boat Repair, et al., v. O/S Holly, et al., 1 MILR 130 (Oct 2, 1989) S.Ct. Civil No. 83-03 (High Ct. Civil No. 1982-052, 1982-052A, 1982-056 through - 065, and Consolidated Cases)	176
49	RMI v. Sakaio, 1 MILR 136 (Oct 18, 1989) S.Ct. Crim. No. 88-01 (High Ct. Crim. No. 1988-034)	182
50	MIDB v. Alik and Alik, 1 MILR 146 (Dec 12, 1989) S.Ct. Civil No. 89-04 (High Ct. Civil No. 1987-032)	193
51	Jeja v. Lajimkam, et al., 1 MILR 153 (Mar 7, 1990) S.Ct. Civil No. 86-05 (High Ct. Civil No. 1983-075)	200
52	Lanwi, et al., v. Kintiro (Jul 11, 1990) S.Ct. Civil No. 90-04 (High Ct. Civil No. 1984-010)	206
53	RMI v. Lang (Jul 18, 1990) S.Ct. Crim. No. 89-01 (High Ct. Crim. No. 1989-005)	207
54	RMI v. Laibwij (Jul 25, 1990) S.Ct. Crim. No. 90-01 (High Ct. Crim. No. 1990-003)	208
55	MIDC and Leon v. MALGOV and RMI (2), 1 MILR 159 (Sep 10, 1990) S.Ct. Civil No. 89-07 (High Ct. Civil No. 1988-348)	209
56	Rang, et al., v. Lajwa (Nov 23, 1990) S.Ct. Civil No. 90-05 (High Ct. Civil No. 1986-160)	214
57	Langijota v. Alex, 1 MILR 164 (Dec 3, 1990) S.Ct. Civil No.89-03 (High Ct. Civil No. 1986-145)	216
58	Lobo v. Jejo, 1 MILR 172 (Jan 2, 1991) S.Ct. Civil No. 89-08 (High Ct. Civil No. 1984-024)	224
59	Zaion, et al., v. Peter and Nenam, 1 MILR 176 (Jan 24, 1991) S.Ct. Civil No. 89-06 (High Ct. Civil No. 1983-041)	228
60	Neylong v. Jeik, et al. (Apr 19, 1991) S.Ct. Civil No. 90-02 (High Ct. Civil No. 1986-036)	237
61	Majuwi v. Jorauit, et al (Apr 30, 1991) S.Ct. Civil No. 90-01 (High Ct. Civil No. 1987-021)	238
62	Gushi Bros. Co. v. Hawaiian Flour Mills, et al., 1 MILR 185 (Jan 28, 1991) S.Ct. Civil No. 89-09 (High Ct. Civil No. 1989-414)	239
63	Kabua v. Kabua, et al., 1 MILR 193 (Dec 20, 1991) S.Ct. Civil No. 91-03 (Original action concerning High Ct. Civil Nos. 1984-098 and -102, consolidated)	247
64	Rongelap Atoll Local Gov't v. Nuclear Claims Tribunal (May 7, 1992) S.Ct. Civil No. 91-04	255
65	Maj. Stev. & Ter. Co., Inc., v. Alik and Alik (May 8, 1992) S.Ct. Civil No. 91-01 (High Ct. Civil No. 1990-124)	257
66	Bulale and Jamore v. Reimers and Clarence, 1 MILR 200 (May 8, 1992) S.Ct. Civil No. 89-10 (High Ct. Civil No. 1987-034)	259
67	Brown v. Nuclear Claims Tribunal, 1 MILR 205 (Aug 13, 1992) S. Ct. No. 91-06 (NCT No. 23-2110)	264
68	RMI v. Timothy, 1 MILR 211 (Aug 13, 1992) S.Ct. Crim. No. 90-03 (High Ct. Crim. No. 1990-005)	270
69	In Re:The Matter of Timothy, 1 MILR 216 (Aug 13, 1992) Discip. Proc. No. 1990-01	275
70	Samson, et al., v. Rangelap Atoll LDA, 1 MILR 221 (Nov 19, 1992) S.Ct. Civil No. 92-02 (NCT No. 23-2110)	280
71	Defender of the Fund v. Rongelap Atoll LDA, 1 MILR 230 (Nov 20, 1992) S.Ct. Civil No. 92-01 (NCT No. 27-001)	289
72	Lemari, et al., v. Bank of Guam (Dec 17, 1992) S.Ct. Civil No. 92-03 (High Ct. Civil No. E-1992-011)	299
73	RMI v. Jason (Jan 13, 1993) S.Ct. Crim. No. 92-01 (High Ct. Crim. No. 1991-039)	302