[3] The government's actions prompted condemnations from legal agencies and law councils from Australia, New Zealand and the Commonwealth while two former Presidents of Kiribati called it unconstitutional.

The Kiribati government then attempted to prevent Lambourne from resuming his position in Tarawa by stopping his wages, by refusing to issue an ongoing work permit and by not allowing him to board several repatriation flights.

On 11 November 2021, a court ruling by Chief Justice Bill Hastings overturned the government's actions, declaring them unconstitutional.

[14] On 11 August 2022, the crisis intensified when the government attempted to deport Lambourne despite an order from the Kiribati Court of Appeal that he should not be removed from the country.

[16] The deportation led to a three-hour stand-off between Immigration officials and a Fiji Airways pilot who refused to board Lambourne against his will.

United Nations special rapporteur Diego García-Sayán said that her appointment will do little to address the backlog of cases caused by the crisis.

"[27] Former President, Sir Ieremia Tabai, called the appointment a "questionable act" adding that the position of Chief Justice has been compromised by Semilota given her involvement as part of the government's attempts to dismiss foreign judges working in Kiribati.

President Taneti Maamau said he was proud and honored to have appointed the first I-Kiribati and woman to the position adding that his government is committed to upholding the rule of law and respect of the judiciary.

[10] Former President Anote Tong warned that the crisis has left the country with a "dysfunctional judiciary" and raises questions over its democratic system.

Tong also points the fact that until Kiribati amends its laws and constitution "to recognise that the separation of powers is fundamental to its democratic system of government, everything else that has been done will become illegal.

Tabai said that the opposition will be countering the move by holding public meetings to make the people aware of the situation because the media are controlled by the government.