Country Profile: Palau

This Country Profile provides a basic overview of the legal history and institutional structures of the Republic of Palau (Beluu er a Belau), based on research produced by GlobaLex at NYU Law School and the Library of Congress. Under Palau's Constitution, Islamic law (sharīʿa or fiqh) has no legal status. 

Country Background

Palau is a group of approximately 340 islands in Oceania. It is located in the South Pacific Ocean, southeast of the Philippines. The capital of Palau is Ngerulmud. The official languages are Palauan and English. The country's population in 2017 was approximately 21,431 people. Palau is a predominantly Christian country, with about 82% of the population Christian, 6% Modekngei (indigenous to Palau), 3% Muslim, and 10% other. 

Palau was a territory of the United States for over 40 years, following World War II. However, in 1981, Palau became self-governing and in 1986 under the Compact of Free Association, it gained independence. Palau is being compensated by the U.S. for a series of nuclear tests the U.S. carried out on its islands.

Constitution & Legal Structure

Palau is referred to as a presidential republic, in which sovereignty belongs to the people and the Constitution is the supreme law of the land. Although Palau did not gain full independence until 1986, the current Constitution went into effect in 1981, as the nation had become self-governing. The Constitution has since been amended, most recently in 1992. The system of government is based on principles of separation and checks and balances and has three branches: legislative, executive, and judicial. The legal system of Palau is a mixed legal system of civil, common, and customary law. 

Constitutional Status of Islamic Law

Islamic law has no constitutional status in Palau. 

Jurisdiction(s) of Islamic Law

Islamic law has no official jurisdiction of operation in Palau. 

Dominant School of Islamic Law

Palau has no official school of Islamic law. 

Sources of Law for Legal Research

Official Publications

Unofficial Databases

References:

For an extended list of legal resources for this country, see the Library of Congress’s Research Guide. The Constitution is available in the LOC Guide in its original language and at Constitute in English. For full versions of past constitutions, amendments, and related legislation, see HeinOnline World Constitutions Illustrated or Oxford Constitutions of the World [subscription required for each].