Supreme Court of Cocos (Keeling) Island

The Supreme Court of Cocos (Keeling) Island is one of the highest courts for the Cocos (Keeling) Islands, a territory of Australia. The court was originally established in 1958 after the British Government transferred sovereignty for the island from Singapore to Australia. The court had jurisdiction to deal with all serious crimes and major civil claims for damages occurring on the Island.

Judges from Australian courts were appointed to be judges of the court. Those judges would travel to the island to hear, consider and determine cases. In 1992 courts in Western Australia were given concurrent authority to deal with cases on the Island, and those courts have now become the only venue in which litigation is conducted. The Court does not now actually decide cases, as the court will be abolished once the last appointed judge retires.

Read more about Supreme Court Of Cocos (Keeling) Island:  Background To Establishment of Court, Establishment of The Court, Notable Cases, Reform, Abolition of The Court, Judges of The Court

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