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Post World War II, the Marshall Islands were administered by the United States as part of the Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands. Although the Republic of the Marshall Islands (“RMI”) has a parliamentary system of government under its 1979 Constitution, the court system and legislative system are derived from the American model.
The Courts currently use slightly modified versions of the U.S. Federal Rules of Civil Procedure, Federal Rules of Evidence, and Federal Rules of Appellate Procedure.
The Statutory law is founded on the Trust Territory Code but has been substantially modified by post-Constitution enactments of the Nitijela (legislature).
Land law is the RMI is unique, complicated, and controversial. Any one approaching a land transaction, even a lease, should seek competent legal advice at the outset.
To aid its Ship Registry, the Marshall Islands has enacted some of the most modern and sophisticated corporate and maritime law in the world.