A Nauru judge has ruled that the state must assist the defence with its costs in the case of the so-called 'Nauru 19'.
Nineteen people are facing charges emanating from an anti-government protest at the Nauru parliament three years ago.
Their lawyers, from Australia, had been providing advice on a pro-bono basis but they said this had now become untenable.
The group applied for a court order through the Supreme Court seeking assistance and this had been granted, with the Nauru Government required to make a significant payment by next week.