Legal System of Micronesia
Federated States of Micronesia is located in Australia Oceania. It is geographically situated in oceania, island group in the north pacific ocean, about three-quarters of the way from hawaii to indonesia. The country achieved independence on 3 november 1986 (from the us-administered un trusteeship). The capital is Palikir.
Government Overview
Government Type: federal republic in free association with the US Chief of State: President Wesley W. SIMINA (since 12 May 2023) Head of Government: President Wesley W. SIMINA (since 12 May 2023) Cabinet: Cabinet includes the vice president and the heads of the 8 executive departments Administrative Divisions: 4 states; Chuuk (Truk), Kosrae (Kosaie), Pohnpei (Ponape), Yap National Holiday: Constitution Day, 10 May (1979) Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal
Legal System
The legal system of Micronesia is described as mixed system of common and customary law International Law: has not submitted an ICJ jurisdiction declaration; non-party state to the ICCt
Constitutional Framework
The constitution has the following history: drafted June 1975, ratified 1 October 1978, entered into force 10 May 1979 Amendment Process: proposed by Congress, by a constitutional convention, or by public petition; passage requires approval by at least three-fourths majority vote in at least three fourths of the states
Judicial Branch
Highest Court(s): Federated States of Micronesia Supreme Court (consists of the chief justice and not more than 5 associate justices and organized into appellate and criminal divisions) Judge Selection: justices appointed by the FSM president with the approval of two-thirds of Congress; justices appointed for life Subordinate Courts: the highest state-level courts are: Chuuk Supreme Court; Korsae State Court; Pohnpei State Court; Yap State Court
Legislative Branch
The legislative structure consists of unicameral
Citizenship and Suffrage
Citizenship by Birth: no Citizenship by Descent: at least one parent must be a citizen of FSM Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal
Historical Background
Each of the four states that compose the Federated States of Micronesia (FSM) -- Chuuk, Kosrae, Pohnpei, and Yap -- has its own unique history and cultural traditions. The first humans arrived in what is now the FSM in the second millennium B.C. In the 800s A.D., construction of the artificial islets at the Nan Madol complex in Pohnpei began, with the main architecture being built around 1200.
This article provides a summary of the legal system and governmental structure of Micronesia based on the CIA World Factbook. The Factbook is a public domain publication of the United States Central Intelligence Agency.