The Land Court was established in 1996 by act of the Olbiil Era Kelulau and vested with civil jurisdiction over civil cases involving the adjudication of title to land or any interest in land. See 4 PNC ยงยง 203-205, 208. Appeals from the Land Court go directly to the Appellate Division of the Supreme Court. The Court currently includes a Senior Judge while the Associate Judge positions are still vacant. The Land Court makes determinations with respect to the ownership of all lands within the Republic and to provide for the return of land which became public land as a result of the acquisition by previous occupying powers through force, coercion, fraud, or without just compensation. Land Court proceedings are generally conducted in Palauan, although translation is available for non-Palauan speakers.
