Political system Tuvalu is an independent state with the reigning British monarch, who is represented by a governor-general, as the head of state. It is an associate member of the Commonwealth. The Tuvalu Parliament has 12 members, led by a prime minister and four cabinet members. Elections are held every four years. Island councils provide and finance services at the local level. Legal system The Chief Justice of Fiji currently presides over the High Court of Tuvalu, and the court of appeal is the Fiji Court of Appeal. The high court is governed by pre-independence law, subject to changes necessary to comply with the constitution. Island courts have limited jurisdiction over criminal and civil matters. The eight Island Courts have limited jurisdiction over both Tuvaluans and non-Tuvaluans in civil and criminal matters. A similar group of courts has jurisdiction in respect of land matters. A senior magistrate visits Tuvalu two or three times a year to hear more serious cases and appeals. A Chief Justice also visits twice a year, to preside at sessions of the High Court of Tuvalu. The High Court has jurisdiction to consider appeals from the magistrates’ courts and the Island Courts. Appeals from the High Court are to the Court of Appeal in Fiji, or in the ultimate case, to the Judicial Committee of the Privy Council in Britian. Tuvalu’s Attorney-General is the principal legal adviser to the government.

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 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, appointed by the Governor-General from among the Members of Parliament, after consultation with the Prime Minister. The Cabinet advises the Governor-General who must accept its advice. Parliament, or the House of Assembly, is composed of 12 members: two from each of the four most highly populated islands and one each from the remainder. Members are directly elected by universal adult suffrage for four years, subject to dissolution of Parliament. 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.