KEY FACTS Joined Commonwealth: 1978 Population: 10,000 (2013) GDP p.c. growth: 1.7% p.a. 1990–2013 Official languages: Tuvaluan, English Time: GMT plus 12 hrs Currency: Australian dollar (A$); Tuvaluan dollar (T$) Geography Area: 26 sq km Coastline: 24 km Capital: Funafuti Tuvalu, formerly the Ellice Islands, is a group of atolls lying south of the equator in the western Pacific Ocean, south of Kiribati and north of Fiji. Funafuti, the main island and capital, lies 1,046 km north of Suva, Fiji. The other islands are Nanumanga, Nanumea, Niulakita, Niutao, Nui, Nukufetau, Nukulaelae and Vaitupu. Constitution Status: Monarchy under Queen Elizabeth II Legislature: Parliament of Tuvalu Independence: 1 October 1978 Tuvalu is a constitutional monarchy with a parliamentary democracy. The British sovereign is head of state and is represented by a Governor-General, who must be a citizen of Tuvalu and is appointed by the head of state on the recommendation of the Prime Minister. The Prime Minister is elected by parliament and is head of government. The cabinet consists of the Prime Minister, plus up to four other ministers that are appointed by the Governor-General from among the members of parliament on the advice of the Prime Minister. The cabinet advises the Governor-General, who must accept its advice. Parliament is composed of 15 members: two elected every four years by universal adult suffrage from seven electoral districts and one from the remainder. The Speaker, elected by the members, presides over parliament. The constitution provides for the operation of a judiciary and for an independent public service. It guarantees protection of all fundamental rights and freedoms, and provides for the determination of citizenship. Commonwealth Governance 270 Handbook 2014/15 Judicial system Supreme court: High Court Ministry: Office of the Attorney-General The High Court has unlimited original jurisdiction in civil and criminal cases, and deals with more serious cases. It is presided over by the chief justice and hears appeals from the magistrates courts and the eight island courts, which have limited jurisdiction in civil and criminal matters. Appeals from the High Court are heard by the Court of Appeal and the final court of appeal is the UK’s Privy Council. The lands courts deal with disputes over customary land, and appeals from the lands courts are heard by the Lands Court Appeal Panel, then the senior magistrate and then the High Court (but only on questions of law). Tuvalu
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