Ocean Island litigation records

In 1971 a writ (R 3670) was issued by Rotan Tito and others, leaders of the Banabans, against the Attorney-General and the British Phosphate Commissioners, claiming compensation for the use of Ocean Island, home of the Banabans, for the mining of phosphates. To save costs, a second writ (R 2013) was issued in 1973 naming the British Phosphate Commissioners among the defendants, and they were struck out of the first action. The case was heard in 1975-1976. As the hearings on the second writ were taken first, it became known as Ocean Island No. 1; R 3670 was Ocean Island No. 2. Judgement was given in November-December 1976.

A comprehensive set of papers relating to Ocean Island Nos 1 and 2. The first box contains a file of correspondence, 1980-1981, regarding the gift of the collection to the R.C.S.

Presented by Messrs Burchell & Rushton through Peter Westwood, May 1980.

Please cite as Cambridge University Library: Royal Commonwealth Society Library, Ocean Island litigation records, RCMS 315

Mr Justice Megarry's judgement, which was published in the 'Weekly law reports', 1 April 1977, pp. 496-712, summarises the case and its legal complexities. This collection is described in 'Royal Commonwealth Society library notes', no. 240, December 1980, pp. 1-2.

MSS Addenda, vol. III. Indexed

This collection level description was created by RAS using information from the original typescript catalogue.