Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

A Suitable Law Reform Framework for Pluralist Countries

  • Chapter
  • First Online:
Law Reform in Plural Societies

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

  • 411 Accesses

Abstract

A suitable law reform process for Samoa must reflect the cultural context and the local realities of Samoa. The unique features of each Pacific society determine the law reform process that is suitable for their needs. The most effective way to secure public acceptance of new laws or any change in laws is to gain the public’s respect for the process. A fitting law reform process requires a holistic effort from Parliament, the judiciary, the institutional law reform, law reform agents, the State and state agents, the legal profession, the village councils and traditional structures and the general public of Samoa. As the State is accountable for the country’s development as a whole, it must lead the required changes through the relevant constitutional offices, state ministries and agencies.

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.

    Paterson et al. (2008).

  2. 2.

    Powles (2005), p. 420.

  3. 3.

    Samoa Law Reform Commission official website.

  4. 4.

    For example, as discussed in some of the scholarly work referred to in Partington (2005), p. 136.

  5. 5.

    Ibid.

  6. 6.

    The Samoa Observer is the most widely circulated local newspaper as discussed in Chap. 3.

  7. 7.

    Australian Law Reform Commission Report (1986), p. 122.

  8. 8.

    Consent must be sought as some consultation respondents may wish to remain anonymous particularly if the reform enquiries relate to controversial issues.

  9. 9.

    As discussed in Chap. 3, one of the ethical principles of Talanoa is to maintain good relationships, this also applies to law reform consultations. It is important to maintain good relationships from the first meeting with those consulted to the end of the consultations and beyond, even after the completion of a law reform project.

  10. 10.

    A point also strenuously argued Interview Respondent GCE Respondent 1 (Samoa, 19 January 2011).

  11. 11.

    Supported in the New Zealand Law Commission Report (2006), p. 242.

  12. 12.

    Aleck (1995), p. 137, 143.

  13. 13.

    Narokobi (1989), p. 15.

  14. 14.

    Pacific Judicial Development Programme, (2011) cl 4.2.

  15. 15.

    Supreme Court of Queensland (2005).

  16. 16.

    Office of the Clerk of the House of Representatives (New Zealand), 2011, 15, 16.

  17. 17.

    This is a candidacy requirement under the electoral laws; see Electoral Act 1963 (Samoa) s 5.

  18. 18.

    Shields (1991). An existing Pacific Island source to consider is Vanuatu’s Parliamentary Handbook, although there is no published material available on the strengths and weaknesses of this Handbook to date.

  19. 19.

    Standing Orders of Parliament 2006 (Samoa) O 115.

  20. 20.

    Ministry of the Prime Minister and Cabinet (Samoa) (2011), pp. 33–34.

  21. 21.

    Office of the Attorney-General (Samoa) (2014), p. 13.

  22. 22.

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

  23. 23.

    The Samoa Law Reform Commission, the judiciary, members of Parliament, the state ministries, the legal profession and other law reform agents such as the Ombudsman and NGOs discussed in this book.

  24. 24.

    Sack (1986), p. 14.

  25. 25.

    Society changes were envisaged by the Court of Appeal in Olomalu v The Attorney-General (1980–1993) WSLR 256. In upholding matai suffrage on the basis that Samoa is based on the traditional matai system, the court stated that Samoa will accept modern concepts of democracy when it is ready to. Eight years later in 1990, Samoa replaced matai suffrage with universal suffrage. Change is inevitable, when change takes place must be largely influenced by society. Similar principles apply to a law reform process that is suitable for Samoa. Its features will change along with time, with gradual changes to meet the demands of society.

  26. 26.

    Customary Land Advisory Commission 2013 (Samoa).

  27. 27.

    Pacific Islands Legal Information Institute (PacLII) official website.

  28. 28.

    Young Offenders Act 2007 (Samoa); Community Justice Act 2008 (Samoa); Samoa Law Reform Commission Act 2008 (Samoa); Electoral Amendment Act 2005 (No. 3) (Samoa); Electoral Amendment Act 2009 No. 21 (Samoa).

  29. 29.

    Water Resources Management Act 2008 (Samoa).

  30. 30.

    For example, the Lawyers and Legal Practice Act 2014 (Samoa); the Samoan Language Commission Act 2014 (Samoa); the Customary Land Advisory Commission Act 2013 (Samoa); Prisons and Corrections Act 2013 (Samoa).

  31. 31.

    Interview with SOH Respondent 2 (Samoa, 8 March 2011).

  32. 32.

    For example, as indicated in the first Samoa Law and Justice Sector Plan (2008) Office of the Attorney-General (Samoa) (2008).

  33. 33.

    Ntumy (1995), p. 17.

  34. 34.

    Narokobi, above n 13.

  35. 35.

    Weisbrot (1988), p. 9.

  36. 36.

    Pacific Islands are best studied individually according to McLachlan (1988), p. 336.

  37. 37.

    Powles, above n 2, 419.

  38. 38.

    Zorn (1990), 2(2).

  39. 39.

    Jowitt (1999), 3(3).

  40. 40.

    Evans et al. (2011), p. 13.

  41. 41.

    Village Courts Act 1989 (Papua New Guinea).

  42. 42.

    Island Courts Act (Vanuatu) ch 167.

  43. 43.

    Local Courts Act (Solomon Islands) ch 19.

  44. 44.

    For example the customary law courses being taught at the University of Papua New Guinea and the University of the South Pacific Law School, Emalus Campus, see University of Papua New Guinea, ‘Law School Courses – Faculty – Academic Staff’ http://www.pngbuai.com/300socialsciences/340-law-schools/upng-law-school-courses-0412a.html.

References

  • Aleck J (1995) Beyond recognition: contemporary jurisprudence in the Pacific Islands and the common law tradition. Queensl Univ Technol Law J 7:137, 143

    Google Scholar 

  • Australian Law Reform Commission (1986) Recognition of aboriginal customary laws. ALRC Rep 31:122

    Google Scholar 

  • Evans D, Goddard M, Paterson D (2011) The hybrid courts of Melanesia, comparative analysis of village courts of Papua New Guinea, island courts of Vanuatu and local courts of Solomon Islands. Justice and Development Working Papers, World Bank’s Justice Reform Practice Group 13

    Google Scholar 

  • Jowitt A (1999) Island courts in Vanuatu. J S Pac Law, Working Paper 3(3)

    Google Scholar 

  • McLachlan C (1988) State recognition of customary law in the South Pacific. PhD Thesis, University of London, p 336

    Google Scholar 

  • Ministry of the Prime Minister and Cabinet (Samoa) (2011) Cabinet Handbook, pp 33–34

    Google Scholar 

  • Narokobi B (1989) The black islands, Melanesia – Melanesia Jurisprudence. In: Crocombe R, May J, Roache P (eds) Lo bilong yumi yet - law and custom in Vanuatu. Melanesian Institute for Pastoral Socio-Economic Service and the University of the South Pacific, p 15

    Google Scholar 

  • New Zealand Law Commission (2006) Converging currents: custom and human rights in the Pacific. Study Paper 17:242

    Google Scholar 

  • Ntumy MA (1995) The dream of a Melanesian jurisprudence. In: Aleck J, Rannells J (eds) Custom at the crossroads. University of Papua New Guinea, p 17

    Google Scholar 

  • Office of the Attorney-General (Samoa) (2014) Legislative Drafting Handbook, p 13

    Google Scholar 

  • Partington M (2005) Law reform in Pacific Island states. In: Opeskin B, Weisbrot D (eds) The promise of law reform. Confederation Press, p 136

    Google Scholar 

  • Paterson D, Tom’tavala Y, Jowitt A (2008) Legal traditions and systems in the Pacific: an overview of challenges and opportunities for legislative reform. Paper for the Legislative Reform and the Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC) in the Pacific: Sub-Regional Meeting 25–28 August Vanuatu

    Google Scholar 

  • Powles G (2005) Law reform in Pacific Island states. In: Opeskin B, Weisbrot D (eds) The promise of law reform. Confederation Press, p 420

    Google Scholar 

  • Sack PG (1986) Legal pluralism: introductory comments. In: Sack P, Minchin E (eds) Legal pluralism, Proceedings of the Canberra Law Workshop VII. Pink Panther, ANU Canberra, p 14

    Google Scholar 

  • Samoa Law and Justice Sector, Office of the Attorney-General (Samoa) (2008) Samoa Law and Justice Sector Plan 2008–2012

    Google Scholar 

  • Shields M (1991) Republic of Vanuatu parliamentary handbook. UK Department for International Development

    Google Scholar 

  • Supreme Court of Queensland (2005) Equal treatment benchbook. Supreme Court of Queensland Library, Brisbane

    Google Scholar 

  • Weisbrot D (1988) Papua New Guinea’s indigenous jurisprudence and the legacy of colonialism. Univ Hawaii Law Rev 10:2

    Google Scholar 

  • Zorn JG (1990) Customary law in the Papua New Guinea village courts. Contemp Pac 2(2)

    Google Scholar 

Legislation

Case Law

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). A Suitable Law Reform Framework for Pluralist Countries. 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_7

Download citation

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-65524-6_7

  • 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