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Country Background

Micronesia is an island group located in Oceania, consisting of the four eastern-most island chains of the Caroline Islands. Micronesia is in the North Pacific Ocean, approximately three-quarters of the way from Hawaii to Indonesia. The capital of Micronesia is Palikir. The official language is English. The country's population in 2017 was approximately 104,196 people. Micronesia is a predominantly Christian country, with about 97% of the population Christian.

Micronesia was a territory of the United States until gaining its independence in 1986 as part of the Compact of Free Association. The country is also being compensated for a series of nuclear tests that the U.S. conducted on its land.

Constitution & Legal Structure

Micronesia is referred to as a federal republic, in which sovereignty belongs to the people and the Constitution is the supreme law of the land. Although Micronesia did not attain official independence until 1986, the country has been self governing since 1978. The current Constitution was adopted in 1978, and was most recently amended in 1990. 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 Micronesia is a mixed legal system of common law and customary law.  

Islamic law has no constitutional status in Micronesia. 

Jurisdiction(s) of Islamic Law

Islamic law has no official jurisdiction of operation in Micronesia. 

Dominant School of Islamic Law

Micronesia has no official school of Islamic law. 

Sources of Law for Legal Research

Official Publications

• Legislative
  • Congress
  • Code
• Executive
  
  • Government Portal
  • President
• Judicial
  • Supreme Court of Micronesia - includes decisions
  • PacLII Databases: Federated States of Micronesia - includes cases and legislation

Unofficial Databases

• FAOLEX: Micronesia (Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations) database of national laws and regulations on food, agriculture, and renewable natural resources.
• NATLEX: Micronesia (International Labour Organization) database of national laws on labor, social security, and related human rights.
• RefWorld Legal Information: Micronesia (UNHCR)
• WIPO Lex: Micronesia (World Intellectual Property Organization)

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].