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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.The Act also provides for appointment of a National Coordinator of Land Dispute Management and provides with respect to the process of determination of custom owners and determination of land disputes by nakamals or custom area land tribunals and review of such determinations by court. A custom land must not be registered under the Land Leases Act unless the National Coordinator confirms by certification of the custom owners list, the names of the custom owners and the representatives of the custom owners, who may sign on behalf of the custom owners.
Amended by: Custom Land Management (Amendment) Act (No. 12 of 2014). (2014-06-19)
