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	Samoa System of Government Information
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Pacific Governments - Samoa

GOVERNMENT OF SAMOA

• Independent State of Samoa
• Former name: Western Samoa

• Apia

• Republic
• Former government: Colony of Germany 1900-1919; League of Nations mandate of New Zealand 1919-1945; United Nations trusteeship of New Zealand 1945-1962.

• 1 January 1962

Constitution:

• Constitution of the Independent State of Western Samoa adopted by the people of Samoa through the Constitution Convention 1960, following the plebiscite in which the majority of the people declared independence to be upon the matai vote only.

• Constitutional system incorporating common law and customary laws - Constitution is the supreme law.
• Former system: German Decrees followed by New Zealand and British laws + local ordinances and custom.

(See Sources of Law for a full overview)

• 21 years of age; universal however only matais of eligible age and candidates eligible under the Individual Voters Roll can be a candidate for election to the Legislative Assembly.

• Proceedings in the Legislative Assembly are conducted in Samoan and English
• Acts and reports of the Legislative Assembly are in Samoan and English

(i) Executive Branch:

Head of State: O le Ao o le Malö - from 1 January 1962, 2 traditional kings, nominated by the Constitution, held the office jointly. On the death of one the other, Chief Susuga Maleatoa Tanumafili II, became sole Head of State. Subsequent Heads of State will be elected by a majority of the members of the Legislative Assembly for a five-year term.

Head of Government: Prime Minister - the Head of State appoints the Prime Minister, being a Member of Parliament who has the confidence of a majority in the Parliament.

Cabinet: Cabinet of Ministers - 8-12 Ministers appointed by the Head of State on the advice of the Prime Minister, responsible to Parliament.

Executive Council: consisting of the Head of State, the Prime Minister and the Cabinet.

(ii) Legislative Branch:

Parliament - Parliament consists of the Head of State together with the Legislative assembly; unicameral with at least 47 seats - members elected by popular vote. The Parliament serves a five-year term.

(iii) Judicial Branch:

Fa'amasino Fesoasoani Court - established by the Magistrate's Court Act 1969.

Magistrates' Court - established pursuant to the Constitution and governed by the Magistrate's Court Act 1969.

Supreme Court - the Head of State appoints the Chief Justice on the advice of the Prime Minister; other judges are appointed by the Head of State acting on the advice of the Judicial Service Commission.

Court of Appeal - the superior court of record comprising the Chief Justice and other judges of the Supreme Court and such other persons as are appointed by the Head of State, acting on the advice of the Judicial Service Commission.

Fonos - Village Councils, formally recognised by the Village Fono Act 1990 (Samoa), deal exclusively with village affairs such as culture, customs and traditions and including all customary land matters.

Regarding land, the decisions of the fonos may be challenged in the Land & Titles Court . Decisions of the Land & Titles Court may be reviewed by the Supreme Court .

(See Court System for a full overview)

Regional Government:

11 districts - A'ana, Aiga-i-le-Tai, Atua, Fa'asaleleaga, Gaga'emauga, Gagaifomauga, Palauli, Satupa'itea, Tuamasaga, Va'a-o-Fonoti, Vaisigano