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Custom Land Management Act (No.33 of 2013).

Country/Territory
Vanuatu
Document type
Legislation
Date
2013
Source
FAO, FAOLEX
Long title
An Act to provide for the determination of custom owners and the resolution of disputes over ownership of custom land by customary institutions and for related purposes.
Subject
Land & soil
Keyword
Basic legislation Traditional rights/customary rights Court/tribunal Dispute settlement Legal proceedings/administrative proceedings Lease Cadastre/land registration Community management Institution Land reform Property rights
Geographical area
Asia and the Pacific, Least Developed Countries, Melanesia, Oceania, Small Island Developing States, South Pacific
Abstract

This Act strengthens the legal framework concerning title to custom land and concerns management of custom land by customary institutions. It formalizes the recognition of customary institutions termed ‘nakamals’ and ‘custom area land tribunals’ to determine the rules of custom which form the basis of ownership and use of land in Vanuatu. In general the Act aims at holding of custom land by owners as a group. Custom land means land owned or occupied, or land in which an interest is held, by one or more persons in accordance with the rules of custom. For the purposes of this Act, each island is divided into custom areas. Larger islands are divided into many custom areas.

Full text
English
Website
mol.gov.vu

References - Legislation

Amended by

Custom Land Management (Amendment) Act (No. 12 of 2014).

Legislation | Vanuatu | 2014

Keyword: Court/tribunal, Legal proceedings/administrative proceedings, Traditional rights/customary rights, Dispute settlement

Source: FAO, FAOLEX