Constitutionalism and Customary Laws in Solomon Islands

Corrin, Jennifer

doi:10.1007/978-3-030-34432-0_9

Jennifer Corrin¹³

Part of the book series: Ius Comparatum - Global Studies in Comparative Law ((GSCL,volume 41))

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Abstract

Constitutionalism in Solomon Islands is dominated by the written Constitution, which imports a Westminster system and the common law tradition. However, as in other jurisdictions where customary communities are strong, constitutionalism involves more than state institutions and mechanisms. At independence, Solomon Islands proclaimed an allegiance to custom in its Constitution. As a consequence of this, and its colonial history, it has a plural legal system wherein State laws co-exist with customary laws. In this context, the challenge for the idea of constitutionalism may come not only from international developments, but also from the domestic sphere. This Chapter argues that, rather than being challenged by limits imposed at an international or supranational level, governmental power is being challenged by local initiatives designed to promote the authority of traditional leaders and the customary laws which they promulgate. It commences with some background on Solomon Islands and an overview of its systems of law and government to give context to the discussion. It then proceeds to explore the balance of relations in different spheres of positive law, both generally and in respect of judicial review, freedom of contract, and the hierarchy of norms. Discussion then moves to the dynamics of the relationship between different aspects of positive law. The place of international law in Solomon Islands, the approach of legal actors, resolution of conflicts and transconstitutional dialogue, and evolution of approach to constitutionalism and conflicting norms are considered. The last part of the chapter comments on the failure of legal reasoning and jurisprudence to evolve.

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Notes

1.
Constitution of Solomon Islands 1978 (‘Constitution’).
2.
Solomon Islands Independence Order 1978.
3.
French (2009), p. 6.
4.
The 2009 census puts the population at 515,870: Solomon Islands National Statistics Office (2009), p. 6.
5.
Sixty-six percent of the population speak a local language: Solomon Islands National Statistics Office (2009), p. 102.
6.
Pacific Order in Council 1893 (UK).
7.
Pacific Order in Council 1893 (UK), issued both under the legal authority granted by the common law to the British Crown to make constituent laws for overseas territories not settled by British citizens, and also under the legal authority provided by the Pacific Islanders’ Protection Acts 1872 and 1875, and the Foreign Jurisdiction Act 1890 (UK).
8.
Pacific Order in Council 1893 (UK), s 20.
9.
Western Pacific (Courts) Order 1961 (UK), s 15.
10.
Pacific Order in Council 1893 (UK), s 20; Western Pacific (Courts) Order 1961 (UK), s 15.
11.
Because Solomon Islands was only a protectorate, not a colony, Britain and the British administration in Solomon Islands laid no claim to ownership of the land.
12.
Native Courts Ordinance 1942, s 10.
13.
Statute Law Revision Ordinance 1974, s 3.
14.
Solomon Islands Independence Order 1978 (UK).
15.
Constitution, Preamble.
16.
Ibid sch 3.1-3.2.
17.
Ibid sch 3.3.
18.
Ibid sch 3.
19.
See, e.g., Constitution, s 1(1).
20.
Waluchow (2004), para 1.
21.
This is as opposed to a monist system. In the United States, for an example, a treaty becomes part of the domestic law of the country once it has been ratified according to the constitution.
22.
Solomon Islands, as a common law country, follows the United Kingdom’s dualist approach: R v Bow Street Metropolitan Stipendiary Magistrate; Ex parte Pinochet Ugarte (No 1) [2000] 1 AC 61. See also Corrin Care (2006), p. 59. See also Farran (2009), p. 62.
23.
The only small island of the South Pacific to have done this is Vanuatu: see for example, Convention on the Elimination of all Forms of Discrimination against Women (Ratification) Act [Cap 235].
24.
Cap 39.
25.
Cap 46.
26.
Agreement concerning the operations and status of the police and armed forces and other personnel deployed to Solomon Islands to assist in the restoration of law and order and security, signed 24 July 2003, [2003] ATS 17 (entered into force 24 July 2003) (“RAMSI treaty”).
27.
Ibid art 8.
28.
Ibid art 9.
29.
Ibid art 19.
30.
Ibid arts 14-17.
31.
Raja Paksha v Attorney General [2011] SBHC 189; Regina v K [2005] SBHC 80. See also, Draft Constitution (below n 91), cl 244(1)(j), which states: (j) customary international law, international conventions, treaties and agreements applicable to Solomon Islands so far as they are incorporated into domestic law.
32.
Amending the Wildlife Protection and Management Act 1998.
33.
Wildlife Protection and Management (Amendment) Act 2017, long title.
34.
See e.g., ‘Solomon Islands no longer safe for children’. Radio New Zealand, 23 January 2017. https://www.radionz.co.nz/international/pacific-news/322910/solomon-islands-no-longer-safe-for-children-report.
35.
Convention on the Rights of the Child, opened for signature 20 November 1989, 1577 UNTS 3 (entered into force 2 September 1990).
36.
Committee on the Rights of the Child, State Party Report: Solomon Islands, UN Doc CRC/c/51/add.6 (12 July 2002), available at: http://www.refworld.org/docid/3df59ecb2.html [accessed 11 September 2017].
37.
Committee on the Rights of the Child, Concluding Observations: Solomon Islands, 33rd sess, UN Doc CRC/C/15/Add.208 (2 July 2003) p. 2.
38.
Child and Family Welfare Act 2017, Long Title.
39.
Ibid s 11(j).
40.
Constitution, s 1.
41.
Ibid ch II.
42.
Ibid preamble.
43.
Western Pacific (Courts) Order 1961 (UK), s 14.
44.
Council of Civil Service Unions v Minister of State for the Civil Service [1985] AC 374.
45.
R v Panel on Takeovers and Mergers ex p Datafin [1987] QB 815; Simata v Goldie College Secondary School Board of Governors [1998] SBHC 46.
46.
[1985–86] SILR 95.
47.
Cap 133.
48.
[1988–89] SILR 70.
49.
[1984] SILR 80.
50.
Rajapaksha v Attorney General [2011] SBHC 189.
51.
Kakano v Attorney General [1992] SBHC 16; Nimepo v Premier of Guadalcanal Province [1996] SBHC 35.
52.
Siope v Malaita Customary Land Appeal Court [1985–86] SILR 255.
53.
See, e.g., Talasasa v United Church [1985–86] SILR 69, although the respondent was the church rather than the government.
54.
[1985] SBHC 27.
55.
R v Panel on Takeovers and Mergers ex p Datafin [1987] QB 815.
56.
Simata v Goldie College Secondary School Board of Governors [1998] SBHC 46.
57.
Merits Judgment (IACHR Series C, no 75, 14 March 2001).
58.
Baltic Shipping Co v Dillon (1993) 176 CLR 344, 369.
59.
See e.g., Suidani v Attorney General [2016] SBHC 49, where damages were awarded against a provincial government.
60.
See the summary of this evolution in George Mitchell (Chesterhall) Ltd v Finney Lock Seeds Ltd [1983] 2 AC 803.
61.
Parkinson v College of Ambulance [1925] 2 KB 1.
62.
Regazzoni v Sethia [1958] AC 301.
63.
Czarinikow v Roth Schmidt [1922] 2 KB 478.
64.
George Mitchell (Chesterhall) Ltd v Finney Lock Seeds Ltd [1983] 2 AC 803.
65.
See, e.g., Cheon v Cheon [1997] SBHC 16.
66.
National Westminster Bank v Morgan [1985] 1 AC 686.
67.
Ross Mining (SI) Ltd v Roni [1999] SBHC 5.
68.
Griffiths v Indian Pacific Fisheries Limited Ltd [1997] SBHC 51.
69.
[1997] SBHC 51.
70.
Cap 73.
71.
Motor Vehicle (Third Party) Insurance Act [Cap 83].
72.
Sale of Goods Act 1893 (UK), ss 12 – 15, applying in Solomon Islands as an Act of general application. The Act does not prevent exclusion of implied terms.
73.
Baltic Shipping Co v Dillon (1993) 176 CLR 344, 369.
74.
Richardson and Garnett (2016), p. 1.
75.
Arbitration Act [Cap 2], s 2.
76.
Gluckman (1972), p. 171.
77.
See further Seddon (1974), p. 49.
78.
See Constitution, s 2. This includes customary laws which, while constitutionally recognised, are not to be applied to the extent they are inconsistent with the Constitution: Constitution, Sch 3, s 3(1).
79.
Constitution, s 76(2)(1).
80.
R v Ngena [1983] SILR 1; Corrin and Patterson (2017), p. 60.
81.
K v T [1985-1986] SILR 49. This case involved a custody dispute, and accordingly is arguably of questionable relevance to the interpretation of the phrase outside this area of law.
82.
Scheduled to Solomon Islands Independence Order 1978 (UK).
83.
Constitution, s 3.
84.
See Loumia v Director of Public Prosecutions [1985-6] SILR 158 per Connolly JA (Wood CJ concurring). See also Ulufa'’alu v Attorney-General [2005] 1 LRC 698.
85.
Constitution, s 18(2).
86.
Universal Declaration on Human Rights, GA Res 217A (III), UN GAOR, UN Doc A/810 (10 December 1948).
87.
European Convention for the Protection of Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms, opened for signature 4 November 1950, 213 UNTS 222 (entered into force 3 September 1953).
88.
Regina v Gua [2012] SBHC 118.
89.
Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women, opened for signature 18 December 1979 1249 UNTS 13 (entry into force 3 September 1981). Acceded by Solomon Islands 6 May 2002.
90.
Constitution, s 15.
91.
Second Draft for proposed Federal Constitution of the Federal Democratic Republic of Solomon Islands 2014 (‘Draft Constitution’). http://www.sicr.gov.sb/2nd%202014%20SI%20Constitution%20Draft%20(R)%20pdf%20-%208%205%2014.pdf. Accessed 12 December 2017.
92.
Ibid ch 4, parts II-V.
93.
Constitution, sch 3.
94.
See further, Corrin (2010), p. 2.
95.
See e.g., Allardyce Lumber Company Limited v Laore [1990] SBHC 46.
96.
Solomon Islands Law Reform Commission (2012), p. 17.
97.
Ibid.
98.
Solomon Islands National Statistics Office (2009), p. 81.
99.
Universal Declaration on Human Rights, GA Res 217A (III), UN GAOR, UN Doc A/810 (10 December 1948).
100.
European Convention for the Protection of Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms, opened for signature 4 November 1950, 213 UNTS 222 (entered into force 3 September 1953).
101.
Constitution, s 18(1)-(2).
102.
Ibid s 18(3).
103.
Draft Constitution, cl 144.
104.
Ibid ch 18, pt 11.
105.
Ibid ch 22, pt IV; cl 49.
106.
Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women, opened for signature 18 December 1979 1249 UNTS 13 (entry into force 3 September 1981). Acceded by Solomon Islands 6 May 2002.
107.
Convention on the Rights of the Child, opened for signature 20 November 1989, 1577 UNTS 3 (entered into force 2 September 1990). Acceded by Solomon Islands 10 April 1995.
108.
Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, opened for signature 30 March 2007, 2515 UNTS 3 (entered into force 3 May 2008). Signed by Solomon Islands 23 September 2008.
109.
International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights, opened for signature 16 December 1966, 993 UNTS 3 (entered into force 3 January 1976). Succeeded by Solomon Islands 17 March 1982.
110.
International Convenant on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination, opened for signature 7 March 1966, 660 UNTS 195 (entered into force 4 January 1969). Succeeded by Solomon Islands 17 March 1982.
111.
See e.g., Lobo v Limanilove [2002] SBHC 110.
112.
Constitution, s 15.
113.
See also Brown and Corrin Care (1998), p. 1334.
114.
See e.g., Tanavulu v Tanavulu [1998] SBHC 4. Aspects of this decision are also discussed in Brown and Corrin Care (2001), pp. 668–670.
115.
Lobo v Limanilove [2002] SBHC 110.
116.
Loumia v DPP [1985/6] SILR 158.
117.
See generally Hatilia v Attorney General [2014] SBHC 125; HCSI-CC 456 of 2011 (13 October 2014) where Thornhill v AG of Trinidad & Tobago [1981] AC 61 is drawn upon when discussing the interpretation of the constitution. See, e.g., R v Rose [1987] SBHC 1; [1988] LRC 369 (21 September 1987); Kelly v Regina [2006] SBCA 17; CA-CRAC 019 of 2006 (25 October 2006); Tii v Regina [2017] SBCA 6; SICOA-CRAC 14 of 2016 (5 May 2017).
118.
Constitution, ch V.
119.
Ibid ch VI.
120.
Ibid ch VII.
121.
Ibid cl 59-74.
122.
Ibid ch VII, pt II.
123.
Ibid s 1(2).
124.
Ibid s 35.
125.
Alasia (1997), pp. 15–16.
126.
Constitution, s 46.
127.
Ibid s 59
128.
Vienna Convention on the Law of Treaties, opened for signature 23 May 1969, 1155 UNTS 331 (entered into force 27 January 1980), art 11, 15.
129.
Corrin (2013), p. 108.
130.
See University of the South Pacific Law School, ‘Pacific Islands Legal Information Institute’ (web site). www.paclii.org.
131.
Constitution, ch II.
132.
Ibid s 4.
133.
Ibid s 5.
134.
Ibid s 12.
135.
Ibid s 13.
136.
Corrin (2017), pp. 88–89.The extent to which state agreement to be bound by the convention, or possibly even the Charter of the United Nations justifies intervention by the UN under international law depends on whether this involves some abdication of sovereignty: see, e.g., Best (1995), pp. 775–799.
137.
Corrin (2013), p. 103.
138.
See Corrin (2009), p. 57.
139.
Corrin (2013), p. 129.
140.
Tamata (2000), para 2.
141.
Corrin Care and Zorn (2005), particularly pp. 159–160.
142.
Kabutaulaka (2004), p. 23, citing the views of Ruth Maetala, former Secretary General of the National Council of Women. See also Zorn (2000).
143.
https://www.forumsec.org/who-we-arepacific-islands-forum/.
144.
Tokelau and Wallis and Futuna are Associate Members: see ‘Pacific Islands Regional Organisations’, Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade. http://dfat.gov.au/international-relations/regional-architecture/pacific-islands/Pages/pacific-islands-regional-organisation.aspx. Formerly the South Pacific Forum.
145.
‘Forum Secretariat Mission Statement’, Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat. https://www.forumsec.org/pacific-islands-forum-secretariat/. Accessed 17 March 2019.
146.
Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat (2007), p. 1.
147.
Ibid p. 20, initiative 12.5.
148.
Draft Constitution, s 144.
149.
Ibid s 144(4)(b).
150.
Ibid s 144(5).
151.
Constitution, s 77(1).
152.
Ibid s 84(1).
153.
Ibid s 85.
154.
Local Courts Act [cap 19].
155.
See e.g., Regina v K [2005] SBHC 80.
156.
[1984] SILR 51. See further Brown (1986), p. 133.
157.
An area within Malaita Province.
158.
Cap 26.
159.
Ambrose v Keioi [2016] SBHC 172; HCSI-CC 213 of 2014 (5 October 2016).
160.
See, e.g., Pusi v Leni [1997] SBHC 100. This case is discussed in Corrin (2007), p. 151.
161.
[1997] SBHC 100. This case is discussed in Corrin (2007), p. 151. See also Corrin Care (1999), p. 135.
162.
[1998] SBHC 4.
163.
Constitution, s 15.
164.
Pusi v Leni [1997] SBHC 100, per Muria CJ.
165.
Tanavalu v Tanavalu [1998] SBCA 8.
166.
See e.g., R v Rose [1987] SBHC 2.
167.
See e.g., R v Rose [1987] SBHC 2.
168.
[2007] SBHC 144.
169.
Constitution, s 4.
170.
Loumia v DPP [1985-6] SILR 158; R v Rose [1987] SBHC 2.
171.
[2007] SBHC 144.
172.
Cf, Constitution of Fiji 2013, s 43.
173.
[1980] AC 319.
174.
Ibid 328.
175.
[2014] SBHC 125.
176.
[1981] AC 61; [1980] 2 WLR 510.
177.
Ibid 516.
178.
Hatilia v Attorney General [2014] SBHC 125, [37].
179.
[2017] SBCA 6.
180.
Tii v Regina [2017] SBCA 6, [20], quoting Kelly v Regina [2006] SBCA 17.
181.
[2011] SBHC 189.
182.
Rajapaksha v Attorney General [2011] SBHC 189, [33].
183.
[2001] SBHC 180.
184.
Re Appeal by Cable and Wireless PLC [2001] SBHC 180.
185.
Western Pacific Orders-in-Council 1877; Pacific Order-in-Council 1893.
186.
Western Pacific (Courts) Order in Council 1961.
187.
Solomon Islands Courts Order 1975.
188.
Solomon Islands Independence Order 1978, s 3(1), repealing Solomon Islands (Appeals to Privy Council) Order 1975.
189.
See Pulea (1980), p. 1 for a discussion of the historical perspective. See Mataitoga (1982), p. 70 for a discussion of some of the problems which favour the present system in preference to a regional appeal court. See also Boyd (2003), p. 303.
190.
On the need for such a commission, see Imrana Jalal (2009), p. 191.
191.
Chiam (2009), p. 128; Imrana Jalal (2009), p. 187.
192.
Chiam (2009), p. 128. See also Imrana Jalal (2009), p. 180.
193.
See Wickliffe (1999), para 12.
194.
Imrana Jalal (2009), pp. 182, 185–186.
195.
Draft Constitution, cl 49.
196.
Ibid cl 195(2)(a).
197.
Ibid cl 195(2)(b).
198.
Ibid cl 195(2)(c).
199.
Ibid cl 49(5)(a).
200.
Ibid cl 49(5)(c).
201.
Ibid cl 49(5)e).
202.
Constitution, s 1.
203.
[2005] SBHC 150, affirming Regina v K [2005] SBHC 80.
204.
See Constitution, s 2. This includes customary laws which, while constitutionally recognised, are not to be applied to the extent they are inconsistent with the Constitution: Constitution, sch 3, s 3(1).
205.
‘About RAMSI’, RAMSI (Web Page). http://www.ramsi.org/about-ramsi/.
206.
RAMSI Treaty, preamble.
207.
Ibid.
208.
‘About RAMSI’, RAMSI (Web Page) http://www.ramsi.org/about-ramsi/.
209.
Pacific Agreement on Closer Economic Relations, opened for signature 18 August 2001, [2001] PITSE 1 (entered into force 3 October 2002) (“PACER”).
210.
Signed 6 August 2002: see ‘Status Report: Pacific Agreement on Closer Economic Relations’, Pacific Islands Legal Information Institute. http://www.paclii.org/pits/en/status_pages/2001-1.html.
211.
Ibid, ratified 2 June 2003.
212.
Ibid s 2(1).
213.
Ibid s 7.
214.
Ibid s 8.
215.
World Trade Organisation, ‘Solomon Islands and the WTO’, World Trade Organisation (Web Page), https://www.wto.org/english/thewto_e/countries_e/solomon_islands_e.htm. Accessed 17 March 2019.
216.
Generally, the primary objective of the system is not to make rulings or to develop jurisprudence, but to settle disputes, preferably through a mutually agreed solution.
217.
Understanding on the Rules and Procedures Governing the Settlement of Disputes, signed 15 April 1994, 1869 UNTS 401 (entered into force 1 January 1995), art 17.
218.
Ibid art 3(2).
219.
World Trade Organisation, ‘Solomon Islands and the WTO’, World Trade Organisation (Web Page), https://www.wto.org/english/thewto_e/countries_e/solomon_islands_e.htm. Accessed 17 March 2019.
220.
Arbitration Act [cap 2], s 2.
221.
Constitution, ch VIII, ss 93-5.
222.
Ibid s 94(2).
223.
Ibid s 93(g).
224.
Leadership Code (Further Provisions) Regulations 2000.
225.
Leadership Code Commission Rules 2000.
226.
[1997] SBHC 9. See also Regina v Siapu [1993] SBHC 14.
227.
Leadership Code (Further Provisions) Act 1999, s 9(4)(b).
228.
Constitution, s 2.
229.
[1997] SBHC 100.
230.
[1984] SILR 51. See also Brown (1986), p. 133.
231.
See also Tanavalu v Tanavalu [1998] SBHC 4, discussed above.
232.
Constitution, preamble.
233.
See e.g., Brown (2005); Corrin (2009), p. 31.
234.
Corrin (2019), p. 34.
235.
Hassall (2010), p. 57.

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Jennifer Corrin

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Corrin, J. (2020). Constitutionalism and Customary Laws in Solomon Islands. In: Tusseau, G. (eds) Debating Legal Pluralism and Constitutionalism. Ius Comparatum - Global Studies in Comparative Law, vol 41. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-34432-0_9

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