Citation: Kirite’e v Ome [2022] SBCA 31; SICOA-CAC 7 of 2021 (28 November 2022) Court: Solomon Islands Court of Appeal Decision Date: 28 November 2022 Judges:  Hansen VP Palmer CJ Lunabek JA Counsels: N. Laurere for Appellant S. Banuve for Respondent Outcome: Appeal and Cross-Appeal Dismissed. Background The claimant (Kirite’e) represented his family, owners of Fa’asifau Customary Land. In...Read More

Citation: Metangi v Mae [2024] SBCA 9; SICOA-CAC 51 of 2023 (31 May 2024) Court: Solomon Islands Court of Appeal Justices: Muria P Palmer CJ Gavara-Nanu JA Parties:  John Metangi (Appellant) Maurice Mae, Desmond Probate Mae, Levers Solomon Limited, Attorney General (Respondents) Decision Date: 31 May 2024 Outcome: Appeal dismissed for non-payment of security for costs. Brief Facts...Read More

Citation: Seketala v Ches Investment Ltd [2025] SBCA 2; SICOA-CAC 55 of 2023 (12 February 2025) Court: Solomon Islands Court of Appeal Judges:  Muria P, Gavara-Nanu JA, Lawry JA Counsels: J Sullivan KC with E Soma for Appellant C Fakarii for the 1st Respondent S Kabau for 2nd Respondent Parties: Appellant: John Seketala 1st Respondent: Ches Investments Ltd 2nd Respondent: Lever Solomons...Read More

Citation: Zama v Lennea [2004] SBCA 2; CA-CAC 012 of 2003 (21 April 2004) Court: Solomon Islands Court of Appeal Judge(s): Registrar of Court of Appeal, Mr R D Chetwynd (as he was then) Counsels: Mr Suri for Appellants Mr Radclyffe for Respondent Parties: Appellants: Mr. & Mrs. Zama Respondent: Justin Lennea (trading as Variety Mart) Nature of...Read More

Both Thorner v Majors and Gillett v Holt are landmark English proprietary estoppel cases involving long-term farm work in reliance on assurances of inheritance. They represent the modern development of the doctrine in family/farming contexts, emphasizing unconscionability, reasonable reliance, and flexible remedies. Gillett v Holt (Court of Appeal) established key principles on revocable testamentary assurances, while Thorner v...Read More

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