Australian-born judge challenges deportation from Kiribati amid long-running judicial crisis

David Lambourne may be forced out of the Pacific nation if he loses challenge to president Taneti Maamau's attempt to sack him

David Lambourne, an Australian-born high court judge whose attempted deportation two years ago from Kiribati sparked a judicial crisis in the Pacific nation, appeared in court in a case closely watched by the United Nations and international legal groups.

Lambourne, who has lived in Kiribati for 30 years and is married to opposition leader Tessie Lambourne, faces deportation if he loses a high court challenge to Kiribati president Taneti Maamau's attempt to sack him. Kiribati will hold national elections later this year.