1. Case Overview Court: Solomon Islands Court of Appeal Parties: Bradley Tovosia (Appellant, successful election candidate) vs. Jessy Koli (First Respondent, petitioner) and the Attorney General (Second Respondent) Nature of Case: Appeal from an interlocutory decision of the High Court (Aulanga J) refusing to strike out an election petition in its entirety. Key Issue: Whether the primary judge erred...Read More

Facts Peter Thorner owned and farmed Steart Farm in Somerset. He was a man of few words, disliked making wills, and had fallen out with closer family members. David Thorner, Peter’s second cousin, began helping on the farm casually from 1976 (aged about 16) and worked full-time without pay from around 1984–1985 after leaving school,...Read More

1.  Case Details Citation: Success Co Ltd v Mario Chago, Andrew Tura & Komarindi Resources Ltd (Unreported, Court of Appeal, Solomon Islands, 11 April 2025) Court: Solomon Islands Court of Appeal Judges: Palmer CJ, Gavara-Nanu JA, Lawry JA Decision: Appeal dismissed. Prior History: Appeal from the High Court (Faukona DCJ), which dismissed an application to determine 10 issues as preliminary legal...Read More

1. Introduction Court: Court of Appeal of Solomon IslandsCitation: [2016] SBCA 1Date of Judgment: 21 March 2016Coram: Goldsbrough P, Ward JA, Wilson JASubject Areas: Judicial Review, Land Law, Mining Law, Customary Land, Indefeasibility of Title, Procedural Fairness, Statutory Interpretation 2. Brief Facts Dispute Background: The case arose from competing claims over nickel mining rights in the Kolosori area of Santa Isabel...Read More

Citation: Shiyao v Austree Enterprises PTY Ltd [2018] SBCA 13; SICOA-CAC 9023 of 2017 (10 August 2018) Overview This appeal challenged a High Court order for specific performance requiring the appellant (Guo) to transfer 90% of shares in China United (SI) Corporation Limited (CUSI) to Austree Enterprises Pty Ltd (Austree), pursuant to a varied investment...Read More

Case Details Court: Solomon Islands Court of Appeal Judges: Goldsbrough P (President), Palmer CJ, Lunabek JA Date of Decision: 28 November 2022 Parties: Appellants: Sevona Development Company Limited (first appellant, licensee) and Frank Pitakere (second appellant) Respondent: New Venture Limited (contractor) Catchwords: Summary Judgment; Assessment of Damages Nature of Proceedings: Appeal from a High Court...Read More

Court: Solomon Islands Court of Appeal Judges: Muria P, Gavara-Nanu JA, Lawry JA Decision Date: 12 February 2025 Nature of Case: Interlocutory Application concerning leave to appeal and extension of time. Counsels J Sullivan KC with E Soma for Appellant C Fakarii for the 1st Respondent S Kabau for 2nd Respondent 1. Facts The factual and procedural history is complex, marked by significant default...Read More

Facts In 1848, John Plimmer, with Crown permission, moored an old hulk (“Noah’s Ark”) on the foreshore of Wellington Harbour to use as a wharf and store. After a 1855 earthquake reduced water depth, Plimmer erected a jetty extending approximately 190 feet seaward (the “yellow” portion on the plan). In 1855, the harbour bed, including...Read More

1. Case Details: Parties: Appellants (Patterson Natei & Others) v Respondent (HHD Development Ltd) Citation: Not formally cited (Decision Date: 13 October 2023) Court: Court of Appeal of Solomon Islands (Hansen P (Ag), Palmer CJ, Gavara-Nanu JA) Appeal From: High Court (Keniapisia J) Summary Judgment dated 23 September 2022 Subject Matter: Land dispute; Adverse possession; Summary Judgment; Interruption of possession...Read More

Case Details Case Name: Natei v HHD Development Ltd Citation: [2023] SBCA 25; SICOA-CAC 9032 of 2022 (13 October 2023) Court: Solomon Islands Court of Appeal Judges: Hansen (President, Ag); Palmer CJ; Gavara-Nanu JA Date of Decision: 13 October 2023 Hearing Date: 3 October 2023 Parties:Appellants: Patterson Natei (1st), Dickson Vau (5th), Wilson Tolongea (6th),...Read More