Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

State Focused Law Reform: Constitutional Offices, Institutions and Agents

  • Chapter
  • First Online:
Law Reform in Plural Societies

Part of the book series: The World of Small States ((WSS,volume 2))

  • 420 Accesses

Abstract

The existence of two legal systems in one society poses challenges to its justice and law making systems. This chapter explores these challenges as experienced within Parliament, the Executive, the Judiciary, the Samoa Law Reform Commission and other law reform agents existing in Samoa. The challenges of legal pluralism stem from the difficulties in giving both the customary legal system and the state legal system a balanced application in law making. In many occasions, customary law is marginalised in the process of law reform developed under the above mentioned institutions. The challenges posed in this chapter are informed by analysis of case law and local legislation and the empirical interviews. References will be made to the empirical interviews which support the challenges put forward in this chapter.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this chapter

Log in via an institution
Chapter
USD 29.95
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
eBook
USD 79.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as EPUB and PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
Softcover Book
USD 99.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Compact, lightweight edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info
Hardcover Book
USD 139.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Durable hardcover edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info

Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout

Purchases are for personal use only

Institutional subscriptions

Notes

  1. 1.

    Corrin and Paterson (2011), pp. 338–343.

  2. 2.

    Constitution of the Independent State of Samoa (Samoa) art 73.

  3. 3.

    Judicature Ordinance1961 (Samoa) s 31.

  4. 4.

    District Court Act 1969 (Samoa) s 26.

  5. 5.

    Land and Titles Court Act 1981 (Samoa) s 34.

  6. 6.

    Land and Titles Court Act 1981 (Samoa) Pt 9 - Appeals.

  7. 7.

    Land and Titles Court Act 1981 (Samoa) s 71.

  8. 8.

    (Unreported, Supreme Court of Samoa, Young AJ, 4 November 1998).

  9. 9.

    Care (2006), pp. 27–60; Corrin (2009), pp. 31–71; Forsyth (2004), 8(2).

  10. 10.

    (Unreported, Supreme Court of Samoa, Wilson J, 12 July 2000).

  11. 11.

    (Unreported, Supreme Court of Samoa, Sapolu CJ, 24 April 2003).

  12. 12.

    (Unreported, Court of Appeal of Samoa, Cooke, P, Casey and Bisson JJA, March 2005).

  13. 13.

    Samoan Public Trustee v Collins [1961] WSNZSC 1; Olomalu v The Attorney-General (1980–1993) WSLR 256; Taamale v Attorney-General (Unreported, Court of Appeal of Samoa, Cooke, P, Casey and Bisson JJA, 18 August 1995).

  14. 14.

    Report on Matai Titles, Customary Land and the Land and Titles Court, December 1975 cited in Taamale v Attorney-General (Unreported, Court of Appeal of Samoa, Cooke, P, Casey and Bisson JJA, 18 August 1995).

  15. 15.

    Sapolu (2011).

  16. 16.

    The empirical data shows the respondents from the judiciary are in agreement on this.

  17. 17.

    Interviews in Samoa with: MOJ Respondent 1 (28 March 2011); GCE Respondent 1 (19 January 2011).

  18. 18.

    Interview with MOJ Respondent 5 (Samoa, 1 April 2011).

  19. 19.

    Interview with LP Respondent 2 (Samoa, 21 February 2011).

  20. 20.

    Interviews in Samoa with: MOJ Respondent 5 (1 April 2011); MOJ Respondent 6 (4 April 2011).

  21. 21.

    Interview with MOJ Respondent 2 (Samoa, 13 July 2011).

  22. 22.

    Interviews in Samoa with: MOJ Respondent 3 (Samoa, 7 March 2011); MOJ Respondent 6 (4 April 2011).

  23. 23.

    Interview with MOJ Respondent 1 (Samoa, 28 March 2011).

  24. 24.

    State Government Insurance Commission v Trigwell (1979) 142 CLR 617.

  25. 25.

    Hassall and Saunders (2013), p. 186.

  26. 26.

    Ibid 186–187.

  27. 27.

    Qarase v Bainimarama (Unreported, Fiji Court of Appeal, Powell, Lloyd, Douglas JJA, 9 April 2009).

  28. 28.

    Corrin (2010), pp. 191–209.

  29. 29.

    Toailoa v Sapolu (Unreported, Court of Appeal of Samoa, Ellis, Gallen, Salmon JJA, 26 April 2006).

  30. 30.

    Samoan Public Trustee v Collins [1961] WSNZSC 1; Olomalu v The Attorney-General (1980–1993) WSLR 256; Taamale v Attorney-General (Unreported, Court of Appeal of Samoa, Cooke, P, Casey and Bisson JJA, 18 August 1995).

  31. 31.

    [1980–1993] WSLR 507. This case was decided by then Acting Chief Justice Lussick who resided in Samoa.

  32. 32.

    Alaelua v Lands and Titles Court [1980–1993] WSLR 519.

  33. 33.

    Spring, (1970–72) 1.

  34. 34.

    Vaai (1999), pp. 168, 170.

  35. 35.

    Alomaina v Land and Titles Court (Unreported, Supreme Court of Samoa, Young AJ, 4 November 1998).

  36. 36.

    (Unreported, Supreme Court of Samoa, Wilson J, 12 July 2000).

  37. 37.

    (Unreported, Supreme Court of Samoa, Sapolu C J, 24 April 2003).

  38. 38.

    (Unreported, Court of Appeal of Samoa, Cooke, P, Casey and Bisson JJA, 4 March 2005); see further Asiata v Asiata (Unreported, Supreme Court of Samoa, Nelson J, 2 February 2007).

  39. 39.

    (Unreported, Supreme Court of Samoa, Vaai J, 25 June 2004).

  40. 40.

    Pauli Elisara v Attorney-General (Unreported, Court of Appeal of Samoa, Cooke, P, Casey and Bisson JJA, 17 December 2004).

  41. 41.

    Morawetz (1925), pp. 87–90.

  42. 42.

    Land and Titles Act 1981 (Samoa) s 34.

  43. 43.

    (Unreported, Court of Appeal of Samoa, Cooke, P, Casey and Bisson JJA, March 2005).

  44. 44.

    Samoa, Parliamentary Debates, Legislative Assembly, 1990a, 22–23 January.

  45. 45.

    Report on Matai Titles, Customary Land and the Land and Titles Court, December 1975 cited in Taamale v Attorney-General (Unreported, Court of Appeal of Samoa, Cooke, P, Casey and Bisson JJA, 18 August 1995).

  46. 46.

    Despite the 1975 Committee Report’s recommendation that banishment orders should be the prerogative of the Land and Titles Court, this recommendation is unknown and to date has not discouraged the practice. The village councils continue to impose banishment orders. This is evident from some of the Supreme Court judgments where ‘banishment’ was taken into account (as required by the Village Fono Act 1990 (Samoa) s 8) in determining the appropriate sentences. See for example, Police v F (Unreported, Supreme Court of Samoa, Nelson J, 30 March 2009); Police v Lemusu (Unreported, Supreme Court of Samoa, Nelson J, 14 September 2009); Police v Luka (Unreported, Supreme Court of Samoa, Vaai J, 21 May 2008); Police v D (Unreported, Supreme Court of Samoa, Sapolu CJ, 7 November 2008); Police v Vaa (Unreported, Supreme Court of Samoa, Sapolu CJ, 24 January 2006).

  47. 47.

    Leota Leuluaialii Ituau Ale et al v Alii & Faipule Solosolo (Unreported, Land and Titles Court of Samoa, LC.11469 P2, 17 February 2012).

  48. 48.

    Parliament of Queensland Act 2002 (Qld) s 64; Electoral Act 1993 (NZ) s 47; Representation of the People Act (Vanuatu) ch 146, s 24.

  49. 49.

    Constitution of the Independent State of Samoa 1962 (Samoa) art 42; Electoral Act 1963 (Samoa) s 5. To be eligible for membership, one has to be a citizen of Samoa, hold a matai title, and be registered as an elector or voter. At any elections, a candidate must provide a declaration from a village mayor that the candidate has resided in Samoa for 3 years and satisfies village services requirements. The electoral laws are discussed further below under a review of the Electoral Act 1963 (Samoa) 1963.

  50. 50.

    Electoral Act 1963 (Samoa) s 5(3)(b). Other Pacific Islands have less strict requirements connecting the candidate to the constituency. Papua New Guinea requires a candidate to have been born in or had resided in the electoral continuously for not less than 2 years; see Constitution of Papua New Guinea (Papua New Guinea) s 103. Solomon Islands require that the candidate be an ordinary resident of the electoral constituency and for the three nominating persons to be persons whose domicile of origin is in that constituency.

  51. 51.

    Interview with VC1 Focus Group (Samoa, 1 March 2011).

  52. 52.

    Interview with VC1 Focus Group (MT) (Samoa, 1 March 2011).

  53. 53.

    Interview with VC1 Focus Group (FK) (Samoa, 1 March 2011).

  54. 54.

    Interview with VC2 Respondent 2 (Samoa, 10 March 2011).

  55. 55.

    Interview with VC2 Respondent 5 (Samoa, 15 March 2011).

  56. 56.

    In re the Electoral Act Pita v Liuga (Unreported, Supreme Court of Samoa, Sapolu CJ, Vaai J, Nelson J, 19 July 2001).

  57. 57.

    Acts Interpretation Act 2015 (Samoa) s 11(2).

  58. 58.

    Ibid.

  59. 59.

    For the six dimensions of law making by the village councils, see Suaalii-Sauni et al. (2009), p. 12.

  60. 60.

    Vaai, above n 34, 42.

  61. 61.

    Interview with VC1 Focus Group (MT) (Samoa, 1 March 2011).

  62. 62.

    Standing Orders of Parliament 2016 (Samoa) O 93.

  63. 63.

    Ibid, O 100(1), (2), (3).

  64. 64.

    Constitution of the Independent State of Samoa 1962 (Samoa) pt II.

  65. 65.

    Ibid art 2.

  66. 66.

    All interview respondents are in favour of promoting customs in formal laws. This includes the respondents from Parliament. However, there is no record of members promoting customs in areas where the Constitution is relied upon. There appears to be a general understanding that the Constitution is the supreme law in Samoa.

  67. 67.

    Interview with GCE Respondent 6 (Samoa, 22 December 2010).

  68. 68.

    Standing Orders of Parliament 2016 (Samoa) O 46 and O 99.

  69. 69.

    Interview with GCE Respondent 6 (Samoa, 22 December 2010).

  70. 70.

    Following every general election, the Office of the Clerk of the Legislative Assembly runs a one-day workshop to familiarise members with the Constitution and Parliament procedures. On one occasion, the researcher was the presenter on behalf of the Attorney-General on the features of the Constitution. Similar seminars with specific focuses are beneficial as background information for new Parliamentarians, for example, an overview of the current laws; a summary of the development of laws since independence; or emerging trends of law making in Samoa and other Pacific Islands.

  71. 71.

    Nelken (2001), p. 47.

  72. 72.

    Cotterrell (2001), p. 79. Also see Trubek and Galanter (1974), pp. 1062–1102 where legal transplant is said to have failed as it was too ethnocentric.

  73. 73.

    Constitution of the Independent State of Samoa (Samoa) art 114.

  74. 74.

    Editorial, Samoa Observer (Samoa) 11 April 2013.

  75. 75.

    Various visitors to Samoa have raised concerns on the social media such as Salinas, 2010, http://www.samoadiaries.com/travel/samoa-howls/.

  76. 76.

    Farnworth et al. (2012), pp. 477–486. Dog bites were at a frequency of 37 new bites per annum requiring hospitalisation per 10,000 head of population.

  77. 77.

    Animal Protection Society (Samoa), 2009, 14 July, http://apssamoa.blogspot.com.au/2009/07/new-aps-website.html#comment-form. Some of the comments from concerned tourists on this website include those by Clair, posted 7 April 2012. ‘I have just returned from Savaii, a lovely island, but a shocking place for cats and dogs. They are neglected, abused … for a religious country, this is shocking. Never visit Samoa if you respect companion animals.’

  78. 78.

    Farnworth et al., above n 77. This study found that of the 327 Samoans surveyed, only 16% had received education about dogs. The attitudes of the sample did not correspond to their behaviour. A majority (81%) believed that dogs must be vaccinated, however 72% of 81% had never visited a veterinarian.

  79. 79.

    Boelman (2012), 29 December http://boelmaninsamoa.blogspot.com.au/p/dogs.html.

  80. 80.

    The closest to an animal registration system is the registration of cattle brands, see Animal Ordinance 1960 (Samoa) pt III.

  81. 81.

    Samoan Status Act 1963 (Samoa) s 10.

  82. 82.

    Ibid s 3.

  83. 83.

    Ibid s 6.

  84. 84.

    Ibid s 7.

  85. 85.

    Ibid s 2.

  86. 86.

    Vaai, above n 34, 157.

  87. 87.

    Land and Titles Act 1981 (Samoa) s22.

  88. 88.

    Olomalu v The Attorney-General (1980–1993) WSLR 256.

  89. 89.

    Electoral Amendment Act (No 20) 1990 (Samoa).

  90. 90.

    Electoral Amendment (No. 2) Act 2005 (No. 14) (Samoa).

  91. 91.

    Electoral Act 1963 (Samoa) ss 96–98.

  92. 92.

    Electoral Amendment (No. 2) Act 2005 (No. 14) (Samoa) s 97A.

  93. 93.

    Electoral Amendment Act 2009 (No. 21) (Samoa) s 97B.

  94. 94.

    Ibid s 5.

  95. 95.

    Electoral Act 1963 (Samoa) ss 5, 16. The Act only allows candidates to stand for a constituency to which his or her matai title has connections with.

  96. 96.

    Ibid s 5(3A).

  97. 97.

    See Tuitui v The Attorney-General (Unreported, Supreme Court of Samoa, Sapolu CJ, 25 February 2011) for the constitutional challenge against the 2009 amendments. See Ale v Electoral Commissioner (Unreported, Supreme Court of Samoa, Sapolu CJ, 23 February 2011) and Asalemo v Electoral Commissioner (Unreported, Supreme Court of Samoa, Sapolu CJ, 28 February 2011) for proceedings seeking clarification of the traditional powers of the village mayor.

  98. 98.

    Elisara v Attorney-General (Unreported, Court of Appeal, Samoa, Cooke, Casey, Bisson, JJA, 17 December 2004).

  99. 99.

    Taking of Land Amendment Act (No 19) 2005 (Samoa).

  100. 100.

    Taking of Land Amendment Act 1964 (Samoa) s 57B(10).

  101. 101.

    Ibid s 57B(9).

  102. 102.

    Ibid s 57B(11).

  103. 103.

    Tavita v Attorney-General (Unreported, Supreme Court of Samoa, 2002). Taken from the notes of the researcher, who was the counsel representing the Office of the Attorney-General in these proceedings.

  104. 104.

    Land Titles Investigation Act 1966 (Samoa) s 10.

  105. 105.

    Constitution of the Independent State of Samoa 1962 (Samoa) art 102.

  106. 106.

    Vaai, above n 34, 158–159.

  107. 107.

    Land and Titles Court Amendment Act 2012 No.14 (Samoa).

  108. 108.

    Land and Titles Court Act 1981 (Samoa) s 34C.

  109. 109.

    Section 2 of the LTC Act defines ‘Samoan conciliation’ as the process where the parties to a customary land or title dispute, identify the disputed issues, develop options and endeavour to reach an agreement according to Samoan custom and usages.

  110. 110.

    Land and Titles Court Act 1981 (Samoa) s 20A.

  111. 111.

    Samoa, Parliamentary Debates, 1990a, 22–23 January; Samoa, Parliamentary Debates, Legislative Assembly, Report of the Select Committee Report on the Bill, 1990c, 2–4 July.

  112. 112.

    Village Fono Bill 1990 (Samoa) cl 6(c); also see Samoa, Parliamentary Debates, 2–4 July 1990 (Aeau Peniamina) 189.

  113. 113.

    Samoa, Parliamentary Debates, 22–23 January 1990b, 938 (Aeau Peniamina).

  114. 114.

    Ibid 898.

  115. 115.

    [1980–1993] WSLR 17.

  116. 116.

    Samoa, Parliamentary Debates, 1990b, 22–23 January, 938, 921–922.

  117. 117.

    Ibid 910. The report records powerful and patriotic speeches in favour of promoting and protecting the powers of the village council.

  118. 118.

    Ibid 890, 899.

  119. 119.

    Ibid 899.

  120. 120.

    Samoa, Parliamentary Debates, 1990, 2–4 July, 196. This was confirmed by the member of Parliament from Tuivaiti’s constituency who was also a member of the Samoa Law Society. The member emphatically supported the inclusion of the power to banish in the Bill, in respect of the consensus reached by the village councils of his constituency.

  121. 121.

    Tuivaiti v Faimalaga [1980–1993] WSLR 17.

  122. 122.

    Samoa, Parliamentary Debates, 2–4 July 1990, 190–191 (Aeau Peniamina).

  123. 123.

    Ibid 189.

  124. 124.

    Ibid 199.

  125. 125.

    (Unreported, Court of Appeal of Samoa, Cooke, P, Casey and Bisson JJA, March 2005).

  126. 126.

    Macpherson (1997), p. 43.

  127. 127.

    Vaai, above n 34,184.

  128. 128.

    Powles (1997), p. 72.

  129. 129.

    Powles (2005), pp. 404, 418.

  130. 130.

    Macpherson, above n 126, 47.

  131. 131.

    Internal Affairs Act 1995 (Samoa) s 5.

  132. 132.

    Email from an Officer of Internal Affairs (MWSCD) to Lalotoa Mulitalo, 19 November 2012. As of 2012, the Ministry recorded a number of 249 village mayors and 111 women representatives.

  133. 133.

    Email from GCE Respondent 7 to Lalotoa Mulitalo, 19 April 2011.

  134. 134.

    Interview with VC2 Respondent 4 (Samoa, 10 March 2011).

  135. 135.

    Interview with SOH Respondent 9 (Samoa, 21 March 2011).

  136. 136.

    Interview with SOH Respondent 6 (Samoa, 12 April 2011).

  137. 137.

    Email from GCE Respondent 7 to Lalotoa Mulitalo, 19 April 2011.

  138. 138.

    The development of clear guidelines on the duties of village mayors was supported following concerns raised in an electoral petition, see Lufilufi v Hunt (Unreported, Supreme Court of Samoa, Vaai, Nelson JJ, 26 April 2011).

  139. 139.

    Young Offenders Act 2007 (Samoa) s 4.

  140. 140.

    Ibid, s4(2).

  141. 141.

    Ibid, Part 4.

  142. 142.

    Community Justice Act 2008 (Samoa) s 6.

  143. 143.

    Ibid, s 7.

  144. 144.

    Ibid s 9.

  145. 145.

    This is also available under the Village Fono Act 1990 (Samoa) s 8.

  146. 146.

    Noble et al. (2011), pp. 119, 128.

  147. 147.

    Water Resource Management Act 2008 (Samoa). This Act came into force in 2009.

  148. 148.

    Ibid s 6(4).

  149. 149.

    Law Reform Commission Act 2008 (Samoa) s 4.

  150. 150.

    Government of Samoa, Cabinet Directive Faapitoa (Special) F K (11) 14, 20 July 2011.

  151. 151.

    Ministry of the Prime Minister and Cabinet (Samoa), Cabinet Handbook (2011a).

  152. 152.

    Ministry of the Prime Minister and Cabinet (Samoa), Manual on Ministerial Practice and Procedures (2011b).

  153. 153.

    Cabinet Handbook, above n 151, 2.

  154. 154.

    Ibid 33.

  155. 155.

    Office of the Attorney-General (Samoa) (2008), p. 30.

  156. 156.

    Leung Wai (2008), p. 5.

  157. 157.

    Ibid 11.

  158. 158.

    The new independent status of the Commission does not affect the functions of the SLRC under the Act which remains unchanged.

  159. 159.

    The Revision and Publications Act 2008 (Samoa) repealed the Reprint of Statutes Act 1972 (Samoa).

  160. 160.

    Crimes Act 2013 No. 11 (Samoa).

  161. 161.

    Law Reform Commission Act 2008 (Samoa) s 11.

  162. 162.

    Interview in Samoa with VC1 Respondent (MT) and VC1 Respondent (FK) Focus Group, 1 March 2011).

  163. 163.

    Interviews in Samoa with VC2 Respondent (15 March 2011) and LP Respondent 5 (14 March 2011).

  164. 164.

    Interviews in Samoa with VC1 Focus Group (1 March 2011); SOH Respondent 3 (4 April 2011); MOP Respondent 2 (4 January 2011); MOP Respondent 2 (4 January 2011).

  165. 165.

    Interview in Samoa with LP Respondent 4 (2 March 2011); VC2 Respondent 5 (15 March 2011); GCE Respondent 1 (19 January 2011); LP Respondent 3 (4 March 2011).

  166. 166.

    Law Reform Commission Act 2008 (Samoa) s 12.

  167. 167.

    Law Reform Commission Act 2008 (Samoa) s 12(3).

  168. 168.

    Interview with SOH Respondent 9 (Samoa, 21 March 2011).

  169. 169.

    Ibid.

  170. 170.

    Technical assistance and helpful insights on possible law reform approaches were received from the Australian Law Reform Commission; the Law Reform Commission of Western Australia; the New South Wales Law Reform Commission; the New Zealand Law Commission; the Maori Land Court; the Waitangi Tribunal; the Conference of the Federation of Law Reform Agencies of Canada; the British Columbia Law Institute; and the Alberta Law Reform Institute.

  171. 171.

    Funded by Australia under the Pacific Legal Policy Twinning Programme with the Attorney-General’s Department (AGD), Canberra, Australia.

  172. 172.

    The SLRC presented an update of the work of the SLRC to the 2010 ALRAC held in Brisbane. In 2012, the SLRC was also represented to the ALRAC in Canberra.

  173. 173.

    Australian Law Reform Commission, Law Reform Process http://www.alrc.gov.au/law-reform-process.

  174. 174.

    Kirby identifies 10 law reform techniques some of which are unique to the Australian Law Reform Commission, and which have contributed to the success of the ALRC as an institution, see Kirby (2003). Although these techniques are outside of the context of Samoa in terms of scale and application, they provide possible models for future adoption by the SLRC.

  175. 175.

    Samoa Law Reform Commission, Law Reform Process http://www.samoalawreform.gov.ws.

  176. 176.

    Constitutional and Law Reform Commission Act 2004 (Papua New Guinea) s 12.

  177. 177.

    Law Reform Commission Act 1994 (Solomon Islands) s 5.

  178. 178.

    Law Commission Act (Vanuatu) cap 115 s 7.

  179. 179.

    Law Commission Act 1985 (New Zealand) s 5.

  180. 180.

    Trubeck and Galanter discuss this uncertainty in the relationship between scholarship and action in third world countries in Trubek and Galanter (1974), pp. 1062, 1083.

  181. 181.

    Office of the Attorney-General (Samoa), 2008, 15.

  182. 182.

    Interview with LP Respondent 5 (Samoa, 14 March 2011).

  183. 183.

    Interview with GEC Respondent 3 (Samoa, 12 April 2011).

  184. 184.

    Email from GEC Respondent 7 to Lalotoa Mulitalo, 19 April 2011; Interviews in Samoa with LP Respondent 5 (14 March 2011); LP Respondent 1 (15 March 2011).

  185. 185.

    Interview with LP Respondent 4, (Samoa, 2 March 2011).

  186. 186.

    See discussions on reciprocity, Chap. 3 on methodology.

  187. 187.

    Interview with LP Respondent 5 (Samoa, 14 March 2011).

  188. 188.

    Interview with SOH Respondent 5 (Samoa, 20 July 2011).

  189. 189.

    Interview with MOP Respondent 3 (Samoa, 11 January 2011).

  190. 190.

    Interviews in Samoa with VC1 Focus Group (1 March 2011); VC2 Respondents 1-5 (15 March 2011; 10 March 2011; 7 March 2011; 10 March 2011; 15 March 2011 respectively); and with VC2 Respondent 2 (10 March 2011).

  191. 191.

    Interview with SOH Respondent 6 (Samoa, 12 April 2011).

  192. 192.

    Interview with SOH Respondent 5 (Samoa, 20 July 2011).

  193. 193.

    Interview with SOH Respondent 7 (Samoa, 22 March 2011).

  194. 194.

    Interview with GCE Respondent 1 (Samoa, 19 January 2011).

  195. 195.

    Interview with VC1 Focus Group (Samoa, 1 March 2011).

  196. 196.

    Interview with SOH Respondent 9 (Samoa, 21 March 2011).

  197. 197.

    Interview with GCE Respondent 5 (Samoa, 18 January 2011).

  198. 198.

    Interviews in Samoa with GWR Respondent 1 (21 March 2011); GWR 2 (21 March 2011); SOH Respondent 7 (22 March 2011).

  199. 199.

    Interviews in Samoa with VC2 Respondent 3 (7 March 2011); VC2 Respondent 2 (10 March 2011); VM Respondent 3 (8 March 2011). GWR Respondent 2 (21 March 2011); VC2 Respondent 5 (15 March 2011).

  200. 200.

    Interviews in Samoa with MOP Respondent 5 (11 January 2011); MOP Respondent 2 (4 January 2011); MOP 3 (11 January 2011); GEC Respondent 1 (11 January 2011); GEC Respondent 2 (11 March 2011); GEC Respondent 6 (22 December 2010); GEC Respondent 5 (18 January 2011); Email from GEC Respondent 7 to Lalotoa Mulitalo, 15 April 2011.

  201. 201.

    Interview with MOP Respondent 2 (Samoa, 4 January 2011).

  202. 202.

    Interview with LP Respondent 4 (Samoa, 2 March 2011).

  203. 203.

    Interview with LP Respondent 5 (Samoa, 14 March 2011).

  204. 204.

    Interview with GEC Respondent 2 (Samoa, 11 March 2011).

  205. 205.

    Interview with LP Respondent 1 (Samoa, 15 March 2011).

  206. 206.

    Interviews in Samoa with LP Parliament 5 (14 March 2011) and LP Respondent 3 (4 March 2011).

  207. 207.

    Email from SOH Respondent 8 to Lalotoa Mulitalo, 7 May 2012.

  208. 208.

    Interview with VC2 Respondent 2 (Samoa, 10 March 2011).

  209. 209.

    Interviews in Samoa with GCE Respondent 6 (22 December 2010) and VC2 Respondent 4 (10 March 2011).

  210. 210.

    Interview with SOH Respondent 9 (Samoa, 21 March 2011).

  211. 211.

    Interview with MOP Respondent 2 (Samoa, 4 January 2011).

  212. 212.

    Law Practitioners Act 1967 (Samoa).

  213. 213.

    Ombudsman (Komesina o Sulufaiga) Act 2013 (Samoa).

  214. 214.

    Samoa, Commission of Inquiry into the Electoral Act, Final Reports (2001), (2006), (2011).

  215. 215.

    Samoa, Commission of Inquiry on Matters Relating to the Divergence between the Decision Making Authority of the Alii and Faipule and the Formal Courts, Final Report (2007).

  216. 216.

    Samoa, Commission of Inquiry into Matai Titles, Final Report (2010).

  217. 217.

    Samoa, Commission of Inquiry into the Freedom of Religion, Final Report (2010).

  218. 218.

    Opeskin (2005), p. 204.

  219. 219.

    Samoa, Commission of Inquiry into the Electoral Act, Final Report (2001).

  220. 220.

    See the Electoral Amendment Act (No.3) 2005 (Samoa).

  221. 221.

    Samoa, Commission of Inquiry into the Electoral Act, Final Report (2006).

  222. 222.

    Electoral Amendment Act (No 3) 2005 (Samoa); Electoral Amendment Act (No 21) 2009 (Samoa); Election Candidate Regulations S.R. 2006/6 (Samoa).

  223. 223.

    Samoa Commission of Inquiry (2007), above n 215.

  224. 224.

    Land and Titles Amendment Act (No 14) 2012 (Samoa); Internal Affairs Amendment Act (No 3) 2010 (Samoa).

  225. 225.

    Samoa Commission of Inquiry (2010), above n 219.

  226. 226.

    Samoa Law Reform Commission, Village Fono Act 1990, Final Report 09/12 (June 2012).

  227. 227.

    Samoa Commission of Inquiry (2010), above n 216.

  228. 228.

    Land and Titles Amendment Act (No 14) 2012 (Samoa) s 6.

  229. 229.

    Interview with SOH Respondent 3 (Samoa, 4 April 2011).

  230. 230.

    Commissions of Inquiry Act 1964 (Samoa) s 4.

  231. 231.

    Samoa Commission of Inquiry (2010), above n 217.

  232. 232.

    Samoa Law Reform Commission Final Report (2012), above n 226, 4.

  233. 233.

    Customary Land Advisory Commission Act 2013 No 9 (Samoa).

  234. 234.

    Ibid s 6.

  235. 235.

    Customary Land Advisory Commission Act 2013 No 9 (Samoa). Expressed in the long title of the Act.

  236. 236.

    Executive Council, Samoa Law Society (2016).

  237. 237.

    South Pacific Lawyers Association, 2001, http://www.southpacificlawyers.org.

  238. 238.

    Samoa Bureau of Statistics, Population and Housing Census, 2011, 60.

  239. 239.

    Law Practitioners Act 1976 (Samoa) s 13(f).

  240. 240.

    Lawyers and Legal Practice Act 2014 (Samoa) s 5.

  241. 241.

    Ta’ateo (2013), 22 April.

  242. 242.

    Identified as a primary goal of the Samoa Law Society as reported in the South Pacific Lawyers Association, Needs Evaluation Survey above, n 238.

  243. 243.

    Interview with LP Respondent 1 (Samoa, 15 March 2011).

  244. 244.

    Formerly South Pacific Bars’ Secretariat (SPBS), SPLA was established in 2007 to assist developing law societies and bar associations in the South Pacific and to promote the interests of the legal profession in the South Pacific. One of the objectives of the Constitution of SPLA is ‘to be a united body to represent SPLA in all matters involving reform and uniformity of laws, and legal practice in the region’.

  245. 245.

    South Pacific Lawyers Association, Constitution of the South Pacific Lawyers’ Association, 2011, 11 July http://www.southpacificlawyers.org.

  246. 246.

    Ombudsman Act 1998 (Vanuatu); and a constitutional officer in Solomon Islands, Constitution of Solomon Islands 1978 (Solomon Islands) arts 96, 97.

  247. 247.

    Constitution of Samoa 1962 (Samoa), art 82A.

  248. 248.

    Ombudsman (Komesina o Sulufaiga) Samoa, What we do? http://www.ombudsman.gov.ws.

  249. 249.

    Commonwealth Ombudsman, Samoa - Commonwealth Ombudsman Annual Report 2008–2009, (9 December 2009) http://www.ombudsman.gov.au.

  250. 250.

    Komesina o Sulufaiga (Ombudsman) Act 1988 (Samoa) s 19(3)(e).

  251. 251.

    Ombudsman (Komesina o Sulufaiga) Act 2013 (Samoa) s 28(2)(e).

  252. 252.

    Between the years 2010 and 2011, the Ombudsman role was reviewed and new functions were developed, see Pacific Ombudsman Alliance, Pacific Ombudsman Alliance - Network News, 2012: 27. http://www.pacificombudsman.org. The original policies to these changes relate to setting up of an office of a Human Rights Commissioner in Samoa. Due to resource constraints, the functions of a human rights commissioner became part of the functions of the Ombudsman. The substantial additions to the role of the Ombudsman led to a complete overhaul of the Act resulting in the Ombudsman (Komesina o Sulufaiga) Act 2013 (Samoa).

  253. 253.

    Ombudsman (Komesina o Sulufaiga) Act 2013 (Samoa) s 40(1)(a)(i).

  254. 254.

    Discussions with a representative of the Office of the Ombudsman: Komesina o Sulufaiga (Samoa, 6 April 2010).

  255. 255.

    Samoa, Ombudsman: Komesina o Sulufaiga Final Report on Sexual Harassment, Samoa Tourism Authority (2007); Samoa, Ombudsman: Komesina o Sulufaiga, Final Report on Review of Fraud Investigations, Ministry of Health (2007).

  256. 256.

    Discussions with the Office of the Ombudsman, above, n 254.

  257. 257.

    Ombudsman (Komesina o Sulufaiga) Act 2013 (Samoa) s 33(a).

  258. 258.

    Samoa Umbrella For Non-Governmental Organisations Incorporated, Constitution of Samoa Umbrella For Non-Governmental Organisations, Incorporated, 2007, 26 October, http://www.sungo.ws.

  259. 259.

    Samoa Umbrella For Non-Governmental Organisations Incorporated, Strategic Plan 2011–2016 http://www.sungo.ws.

  260. 260.

    Lidimani, 2000, https://www.usp.ac.fj/index.php?id=13206.

  261. 261.

    The main objectives of the Casino Gambling and Control Act 2010 (Samoa) are to raise proceeds to fund sporting teams and activities in local, regional and international competitions. See Samoa, Parliamentary Debates, 2010, 12 October. 703.

  262. 262.

    Radio NZ International 2010, 8 April http://www.solomonstarnews.com.

  263. 263.

    Jackson v Attorney-General (Unreported, Supreme Court of Samoa, Nelson J, 28 August 2009).

  264. 264.

    Radio NZ International, 2010, 24 March, http://www.solomonstarnews.com.

  265. 265.

    Pacific Islands Association of Non-Government Organisations, Constitution (2007 http://www.piango.org/. PIANGO was formally established in 1991 to assist the national non-government organisations in the Pacific Islands to work collaboratively and become more influential as a collective voice. PIANGO’s primary role is to be a catalyst for collective action, to facilitate and support coalitions and alliances on issues of common concern, and to strengthen the influence and impact of NGO efforts in the region.

References

  • Care JC (2006) A green stick or a fresh stick?: locating customary penalties in the post-colonial era. Oxford Univ Commonw Law J 6(1):27–60

    Google Scholar 

  • Corrin J (2009) From horizontal and vertical to lateral: extending the effect of human rights in post-colonial legal systems of the South Pacific. Int Compa Law Q 58(1):31–71

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Corrin J (2010) Judge or be judged: accepting judicial appointment in an unlawful regime. Int J Leg Prof 16(2&3):191–209

    Google Scholar 

  • Corrin J, Paterson D (2011) Introduction to South Pacific law, 3rd edn. Palgrave Macmillan, pp 338–343

    Google Scholar 

  • Cotterrell R (2001) Is there a logic for legal transplants? In: Nelken D, Feest J (eds) Adapting legal cultures. Hart, Oxford, p 79

    Google Scholar 

  • Executive Council (2016) Lawyers issued with practicing certificates. Samoa Law Society, Apia, Samoa

    Google Scholar 

  • Farnworth MJ et al (2012) Incidence of dog bites and public attitudes towards dog care and management in Samoa. Anim Welfare 21:477–486

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Forsyth M (2004) Banishment and Freedom of Movement in Samoa: Leituala v Mauga, Kilifi et al. J South Pac Law 8(2)

    Google Scholar 

  • Government of Samoa, Cabinet Directive Faapitoa (Special) F K (11) 14, 20 July 2011

    Google Scholar 

  • Hassall G, Saunders C (2013) Asia-Pacific constitutional systems. Cambridge University Press, p 186

    Google Scholar 

  • Kirby M (2003) The ALRC: a winning formula. Remarks at the rededication of the Michael Kirby Library of the ALRC Sydney, 17 February

    Google Scholar 

  • Leung Wai MC (2008) Samoan’s experience with the establishment of a law reform commission. Paper presented to the Australasian Law Reform Agencies Conference, Vanuatu 10–12 September

    Google Scholar 

  • Macpherson C (1997) The persistent of chiefly authority in Western Samoa. In: White GM, Lindstrom L (eds), Chiefs today – traditional Pacific leadership and the postcolonial state. Stanford California, p 43

    Google Scholar 

  • Ministry of the Prime Minister and Cabinet (Samoa), Cabinet Handbook (2011a)

    Google Scholar 

  • Ministry of the Prime Minister and Cabinet (Samoa), Manual on Ministerial Practice and Procedures (2011b)

    Google Scholar 

  • Morawetz V (1925) The elements of a contract. Am Bar Assoc J 11:87–90

    Google Scholar 

  • Nelken D (2001) Towards a sociology of legal adaptation. In: Nelken D, Feest J (eds) Adapting legal cultures. Hart, Oxford, p 47

    Google Scholar 

  • Noble C, Pereira N, Saune N (2011) Urban youth in the pacific: increasing resilience and reducing risk for involvement in crime and violence. UNDP Pacific Centre, Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat, pp 119, 128

    Google Scholar 

  • Office of the Attorney-General Samoa (2008) Legislative Drafting Handbook

    Google Scholar 

  • Opeskin B (2005) Measuring success. In: Opeskin B, Weisbrot D (eds), The promise of law reform. Federation Press, p 204

    Google Scholar 

  • Powles G (1997) Common law at bay? J Pac Stud 21:72

    Google Scholar 

  • Powles G (2005) Law reform in the Pacific Island states. In: Opeskin B, Weisbrot D. The promise of law reform. Federation, vol 404, p 418

    Google Scholar 

  • Samoa, Parliamentary Debates, 2–4 July 1990, 190–191 (Aeau Peniamina)

    Google Scholar 

  • Report on Matai Titles, Customary Land and the Land and Titles Court, December 1975. In Taamale v Attorney-General (Unreported, Court of Appeal of Samoa, Cooke, P, Casey and Bisson JJA, 18 August 1995)

    Google Scholar 

  • Samoa Bureau of Statistics, Population and Housing Census (2011) 60

    Google Scholar 

  • Samoa, Commission of Inquiry into the Electoral Act, Final Reports (2001), (2006), (2011)

    Google Scholar 

  • Samoa, Commission of Inquiry on Matters Relating to the Divergence between the Decision Making Authority of the Alii and Faipule and the Formal Courts, Final Report (2007)

    Google Scholar 

  • Samoa, Commission of Inquiry into Matai Titles, Final Report (2010)

    Google Scholar 

  • Samoa, Commission of Inquiry into the Freedom of Religion, Final Report (2010)

    Google Scholar 

  • Samoa, Commission of Inquiry into the Electoral Act, Final Report (2001)

    Google Scholar 

  • Samoa, Commission of Inquiry into the Electoral Act, Final Report (2006)

    Google Scholar 

  • Samoa Observer Editorial (2013) Welcome to Samoa, where fat people pay more and dog meat is a treat. 11 April

    Google Scholar 

  • Samoa, Ombudsman: Komesina o Sulufaiga Final Report on Sexual Harassment, Samoa Tourism Authority (2007)

    Google Scholar 

  • Samoa, Ombudsman: Komesina o Sulufaiga, Final Report on Review of Fraud Investigations, Ministry of Health (2007)

    Google Scholar 

  • Samoa Parliamentary Debates (1990a) Legislative Assembly, 22–23 January

    Google Scholar 

  • Samoa Parliamentary Debates (1990b) Legislative Assembly, 22–23, 938

    Google Scholar 

  • Samoa Parliamentary Debates (1990c) Legislative Assembly, Report of the Select Committee Report on the Bill 2–4 July

    Google Scholar 

  • Samoa Parliamentary Debates (1990d) 2–4 July, 190–191

    Google Scholar 

  • Samoa Parliamentary Debates (2010) 12 October, 703

    Google Scholar 

  • Sapolu T (2011) Freedom of religion. Paper presented to the Judicial Training, Samoa, 25 October

    Google Scholar 

  • Suaalii-Sauni et al (eds) (2009) Su’esu’e manogi: In search of fragrance, Tui Atua Tupua Tamasese Ta’isi and the Samoan indigenous reference. National University of Samoa, p 12

    Google Scholar 

  • Ta’ateo J (2013) Samoa Law Society opens first office. Samoa Observer (Samoa) 22 April 2013

    Google Scholar 

  • Trubek DM, Galanter M (1974) Law and society, scholars in self-estrangement: some reflections on the crisis in law and development studies in the United States. Wisconsin Law Rev 1062, 1083

    Google Scholar 

  • Vaai S (1999) Samoa faamatai and the rule of law. National University of Samoa, pp 168, 170

    Google Scholar 

Legislation

Case Law

  • Alaelua v Lands and Titles Court [1980-1993] WSLR 519

    Google Scholar 

  • Ale v Electoral Commissioner (Unreported, Supreme Court of Samoa, Sapolu CJ, 23 February 2011)

    Google Scholar 

  • Alomaina v Land and Titles Court (Unreported, Supreme Court of Samoa, Young AJ, 4 November 1998)

    Google Scholar 

  • Asalemo v Electoral Commissioner (Unreported, Supreme Court of Samoa, Sapolu CJ, 28 February 2011)

    Google Scholar 

  • Asiata v Asiata (Unreported, Supreme Court of Samoa, Nelson J, 2 February 2007)

    Google Scholar 

  • In re the Electoral Act Pita v Liuga (Unreported, Supreme Court of Samoa, Sapolu CJ, Vaai J, Nelson J, 19 July 2001)

    Google Scholar 

  • Jackson v Attorney-General (Unreported, Supreme Court of Samoa, Nelson J, 28 August 2009)

    Google Scholar 

  • Lafaialii v The Attorney-General (Unreported, Supreme Court of Samoa, Sapolu CJ, 24 April 2003)

    Google Scholar 

  • Leota Leuluaialii Ituau Ale et al v Alii & Faipule Solosolo (Unreported, Land and Titles Court of Samoa, LC.11469 P2, 17 February 2012)

    Google Scholar 

  • Lufilufi v Hunt (Unreported, Supreme Court of Samoa, Vaai, Nelson JJ, 26 April 2011).

    Google Scholar 

  • Mauga v Leituala (Unreported, Court of Appeal of Samoa, Cooke, P, Casey and Bisson JJA, March 2005)

    Google Scholar 

  • Olomalu v The Attorney-General (1980-1993) WSLR

    Google Scholar 

  • Pauli Elisara v Attorney-General (Unreported, Court of Appeal of Samoa, Cooke, P, Casey and Bisson JJA, 17 December 2004)

    Google Scholar 

  • Pauli Elisara v Attorney General (Unreported, Supreme Court of Samoa, Vaai J, 25 June 2004)

    Google Scholar 

  • Police v D (Unreported, Supreme Court of Samoa, Sapolu CJ, 7 November 2008)

    Google Scholar 

  • Police v F (Unreported, Supreme Court of Samoa, Nelson J, 30 March 2009)

    Google Scholar 

  • Police v Lemusu (Unreported, Supreme Court of Samoa, Nelson J, 14 September 2009)

    Google Scholar 

  • Police v Luka (Unreported, Supreme Court of Samoa, Vaai J, 21 May 2008)

    Google Scholar 

  • Police v Vaa (Unreported, Supreme Court of Samoa, Sapolu CJ, 24 January 2006)

    Google Scholar 

  • Qarase v Bainimarama (Unreported, Fiji Court of Appeal, Powell, Lloyd, Douglas JJA, 9 April 2009)

    Google Scholar 

  • Samoan Public Trustee v Collins [1961] WSNZSC 1

    Google Scholar 

  • Sefo v Attorney-General (Unreported, Supreme Court of Samoa, Wilson J, 12 July 2000)

    Google Scholar 

  • State Government Insurance Commission v Trigwell (1979) 142 CLR 617

    Google Scholar 

  • Taamale v Attorney-General (Unreported, Court of Appeal of Samoa, Cooke, P, Casey and Bisson JJA, 18 August 1995)

    Google Scholar 

  • Tavita v Attorney-General (Unreported, Supreme Court of Samoa, 2002)

    Google Scholar 

  • Toailoa v Sapolu (Unreported, Court of Appeal of Samoa, Ellis, Gallen, Salmon JJA, 26 April 2006)

    Google Scholar 

  • Tuitui v The Attorney-General (Unreported, Supreme Court of Samoa, Sapolu CJ, 25 February 2011)

    Google Scholar 

  • Tuivaiti v Faimalaga [1980-1993] WSLR 17

    Google Scholar 

Online Databases

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. TC Beirne School of Law, University of Queensland, St. Lucia, Queensland, Australia

    Teleiai Lalotoa Mulitalo Ropinisone Silipa Seumanutafa

Authors
  1. Teleiai Lalotoa Mulitalo Ropinisone Silipa Seumanutafa
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

Copyright information

© 2018 Springer International Publishing AG

About this chapter

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this chapter

Mulitalo Ropinisone Silipa Seumanutafa, T.L. (2018). State Focused Law Reform: Constitutional Offices, Institutions and Agents. In: Law Reform in Plural Societies. The World of Small States, vol 2. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-65524-6_5

Download citation

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-65524-6_5

  • Published:

  • Publisher Name: Springer, Cham

  • Print ISBN: 978-3-319-65523-9

  • Online ISBN: 978-3-319-65524-6

  • eBook Packages: Law and CriminologyLaw and Criminology (R0)

Publish with us

Policies and ethics

Search

Navigation