The Chief Justice of the Federated States of Micronesia is the seniormost judge of the Supreme Court of the Federated States of Micronesia. The position is established in article XI, section 2 of the federal Constitution.
As per article XI, section 3 of the Constitution, the Chief Justice is "appointed by the President with the approval of 2/3 of Congress".
He must be at least 30 years of age, and must have graduated from an accredited law school, or have practiced law at least five years and demonstrate "extraordinary legal ability".[1]
There have been four Chief Justices since independence. Edward C. King served until his resignation in 1993, whereupon Andon Amaraich was appointed to the position. Chief Justice Amaraich continued to serve until his death in January 2010.[2] [3]
Honorable Acting Chief Justice Martin G. Yinug took his Oath of Office as the Chief Justice of the Federated States of Micronesia by H.E. President Manny Mori at the FSM Supreme Court in Palikir, Pohnpei on May 5, 2011,[4] serving until his death on August 31, 2014.[5]
On October 2, 2015, the Honorable Dennis K. Yamase was sworn-in as Chief Justice as the Chief Justice of the Federated States of Micronesia by Associate Justice Beauleen Carl-Worswick.[6]
| Name | Took office | Left office | Notes | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Edward C. King | March 1981[7] | 1 June 1992[8] | ||
| Andon Amaraich | 17 December 1994 | January 2010 | ||
| Martin Yinug | 5 May 2011 | 31 August 2014 | ||
| Dennis Yamase | 2 October 2015 | 2021 |