Constitution of Samoa 1960, as amended to 2020
Affirmative Action (Broadly)
  • English
    (1) All persons are equal before the law and entitled to equal protection under the law.
    (2) Except as expressly authorised under the provisions of this Constitution, no law and no executive or administrative action of the State shall, either expressly or in its practical application, subject any person or persons to any disability or restriction or confer on any person or persons any privilege or advantage on grounds only of descent, sex, language, religion, political or other opinion, social origin, place of birth, family status, or any of them.
    (3) Nothing in this Article shall –

    (b) Prevent the making of any provision for the protection or advancement of women or children or of any socially or educationally retarded class of persons.
    … (Art. 15)
  • Samoan
    (1) E tutusa tagata uma i luma o le tulafono ma e tofu tatau ona maua le puipuiga tutusa i lalo o le tulafono.
    (2) Vagana ai e pei ona faatagaina manino e lenei Faavae, e leai se tulafono ma e leai se gaoioiga a le Malo tau le pulega faatonu po o le tausiga o le a, po o lona faamatalaina manino ai pe faatino mai ai se mafatiaga o so o se tagata po o ni tagata i so o se itu e le mafai ai po o le faasaina po o le tuuina atu i so o se tagata po o ni tagata so o se tulaga aloaia po o le tulaga taugamalie ona o le avea ma mafuaaga lona tupuaga, tane pe se fafine, gagana, lotu, taofi tau upu fai o malo po o se isi lava taofi, mafuaaga faale-vafealoai, nuu na fanau ai, tulaga faale-aiga, po o nisi lava o ia mea.
    (3) E leai se mea i lenei Mataupu o le a:

    (e) taofia ai o le faia o so o se aiaiga mo le puipuiga po o le faagasologa i luma o fafine po o tamaiti po o le vasega o tagata ua telegese le gasologa i luma o lo latou tulaga tau le vafealoai po o le aoaoina.
    … (Mataupu 15)
Jurisdiction and Access
  • English

    (1) Except for Part IX Land and Titles Court and the laws administered thereunder, the Supreme Court shall:
    (a) have such original, appellate and, revisional jurisdiction; and
    (b) possess and exercise all the jurisdiction, power, and authority, which may be necessary to administer the laws of Samoa.
    (2) Except for Part IX Land and Titles Court and without prejudice to any appellate or revisional jurisdiction of the Supreme Court, where in any proceedings before another Court (except the Court of Appeal) a question arises as to the interpretation or effect of any provision of this Constitution, the Supreme Court may, on the application of any party to the proceedings, determine that question and either dispose of the case or remit it to that other Court to be disposed of in accordance with the determination.
    (3) Except for Part IX Land and Titles Court, the Head of State, acting on the advice of the Prime Minister, may refer to the Supreme Court for its opinion any question as to the interpretation or effect of any provision of this Constitution which has arisen or appears likely to arise, and the Court shall pronounce its opinion on any question so referred to it. (Art. 70)

  • Samoan

    (1) Ae vagana ai mo le Vaega IX Faamasinoga o Fanua ma Suafa ma Tulafono o Jo o faafoeina ai i lalo, o le a i ai i le Faamasinoga Sili:
    (a) o puleaga faavae, tau talosaga ma le toe iloiloga; ma
    (b) i ai ma faatino o puleaga uma, pule ma pule faataga, ia e ono mafai ona talafeagai i le faafoeina o Tulafono a Samoa.
    (2) Ae vagana ai mo le Vaega IX Faamasinoga o Fanua ma Suafa, ma e aunoa ma le faitioina o so o se itu e uiga i le toe iloiloga a le Faamasinoga Sili, i ni taualumaga i luma o se tasi faamasinoga (vagana ai a le Faamasinoga o Talosaga) e lagaina ai se faamatalaga po o se itu e uiga i le aoga o so o se aiaiga o lenei Faavae, e mafai e le Faamasinoga Sili, i le talosaga a so o se Vaega o tagata o Jo o auai i taualumaga ona faatatauina lena fesili ma faamaapeina le mataupu po o le tuu atu i luma o se tasi Faamasinoga e faamaapeina ai, ina ia talafeagai ma le fuafuaga ua faatatauina.
    (3) Ae vagana ai mo le Vaega IX Faamasinoga o Fanua ma Suafa, e mafai e le O Le Ao o le Malo, i luga o le fautuaga a le Palemia, ona siligia le Faamasinoga Sili mo sona finagalo i so o se mataupu e faaletonu ai e uiga i le faamatalaga po o se aoga o so o se aiaiga o lenei Faavae ua manu mai po o le faamata o le a manu mai, ma o le a faaalia e le Faamasinoga Sili i le faamasinoga e avanoa mo so o se tasi i sona finagalo e uiga i so o se mataupu na faapea ona tuuina atu ia te ia. (Mataupu 70)

Jurisdiction and Access
  • English

    ...
    (2) Except for Part IX Land and Titles Court, an appeal shall lie to the Court of Appeal from any decision of the Supreme Court in any proceeding, if the Supreme Court certifies that the case involves a substantial question of law as to the interpretation or effect of any provision of this Constitution; and:
    (a) where such a certificate is given or such leave granted, any party in the case may appeal to the Court of Appeal on the ground that any such question has been wrongly decided and, with the leave of that Court, on any other ground; or
    (b) where the Supreme Court has refused to give such a certificate, the Court of Appeal may, if it is satisfied that the case involves a substantial question of law as to the interpretation or effect of any provision of this Constitution, grant special leave to appeal from that decision. (Art. 75)

  • Samoan

    ...
    (2) Vagana mo le Vaega IX - Faamasinoga o Fanua ma Suafa, o le a faia o se talosaga i le Faamasinoga o Talosaga faasaga i so o se faaiuga a le Faamasinoga Sili i so o se taualumaga, pe afai e faamaonia e le Faamasinoga Sili e faapea o le mataupu e aafia ai se Vaega tele tau le Tulafono i le itu i le faamalamalamaina po o le faatinoina o so o se aiaiga o lenei Faavae; ma:
    (a) i le itu ua tuuina mai o sea tusi faamaoni po o sea faatagaina e mafai e so o se itu faamasinoga i lea faamasinoga ona talosaga i le Faamasinoga o Talosaga i le mafuaaga e faapea, o sea mataupu sa faaiuina ma le sese ma, ina ua i ai ma le faatagaina o lena Faamasinoga ma luga o so o se tasi lava mafuaaga; po o
    (b) pe a oo ina ua l8 talia e le Faamasinoga Sili le tuuina atu o sea tusi faamaoni, e mafai e le Faamasinoga o Talosaga, pe afai ua faamalieina o ia e faapea, o le mataupu o lo o aafia ai se vaega tele tau le Tulafono i le itu i le faamalamalamaina po o le faatinoina o so o se aiaiga o lenei Faavae, ona tuuina atu le faatagaina faapito ina ia talosaga ai faasaga i lena faaiuga. (Mataupu 75)

Equality and Non-Discrimination
  • English
    (1) All persons are equal before the law and entitled to equal protection under the law.
    (2) Except as expressly authorised under the provisions of this Constitution, no law and no executive or administrative action of the State shall, either expressly or in its practical application, subject any person or persons to any disability or restriction or confer on any person or persons any privilege or advantage on grounds only of descent, sex, language, religion, political or other opinion, social origin, place of birth, family status, or any of them.
    (3) Nothing in this Article shall
    (a) Prevent the prescription of qualifications for the service of Samoa or the service of a body corporate directly established under the law; or
    (b) Prevent the making of any provision for the protection or advancement of women or children or of any socially or educationally retarded class of persons.
    (4) Nothing in this Article shall affect the operation of any existing law or the maintenance by the State of any executive or administrative practice being observed on Independence Day:
    Provided that the State shall direct its policy towards the progressive removal of any disability or restriction which has been imposed on any of the grounds referred to in clause (2) and of any privilege or advantage which has been conferred on any of those grounds. (Art. 15)
  • Samoan
    (1) E tutusa tagata uma i luma o le tulafono ma e tofu tatau ona maua le puipuiga tutusa i lalo o le tulafono.
    (2) Vagana ai e pei ona faatagaina manino e lenei Faavae, e leai se tulafono ma e leai se gaoioiga a le Malo tau le pulega faatonu po o le tausiga o le a, po o lona faamatalaina manino ai pe faatino mai ai se mafatiaga o so o se tagata po o ni tagata i so o se itu e le mafai ai po o le faasaina po o le tuuina atu i so o se tagata po o ni tagata so o se tulaga aloaia po o le tulaga taugamalie ona o le avea ma mafuaaga lona tupuaga, tane pe se fafine, gagana, lotu, taofi tau upu fai o malo po o se isi lava taofi, mafuaaga faale-vafealoai, nuu na fanau ai, tulaga faale-aiga, po o nisi lava o ia mea.
    (3) E leai se mea i lenei Mataupu o le a:
    (a) taofia ai le tusia o tulaga agavaa mo le aufaigaluega a le malo o Samoa po o galuega a se kamupani ua faatuina tonu e tusa ma le tulafono; po o le
    (e) taofia ai o le faia o so o se aiaiga mo le puipuiga po o le faagasologa i luma o fafine po o tamaiti po o le vasega o tagata ua telegese le gasologa i luma o lo latou tulaga tau le vafealoai po o le aoaoina.
    (4) E leai se mea i lenei Mataupu o le a aafia ai le faatinoina o se tulafono o i ai nei po o le tausiga e le Malo o so o se faiga tau le pulega faatonu po o le tausiga e faamamaluina i le Aso o le Tutoatasi:
    SEIA VAGANA UA FAAPEA o le a faatonuina e le Malo lana faiga agai i le toe aveesea o so o se itu e le mafai ai po o se taofiofiga na faaoo atu ona o so o se mafuaaga ua taua i le fuaiupu (2) ma so o se tulaga aloaia po o le taugamalie na faaoo atu ona o so o se tasi o na mafuaaga. (Mataupu 15)
Obligations of the State
  • English


    WHEREIN should be secured to all the people their fundamental rights;
    … (Preamble)

  • Samoan


    INA UA I AI le tatau ona faamautuina i tagata uma o a latou aia tatau faavae;
    … (Uputomua)

Judicial Protection
  • English

    (1) Except for judicial review matters arising from the proceedings in Part IX Land and Titles Courts, any person may apply to the Supreme Court by appropriate proceedings to enforce the rights conferred under the provisions of this Part.
    (2) The Supreme Court shall have power to make all such orders as may be necessary and appropriate to secure to the applicant the enjoyment of any of the rights conferred under the provisions of this Part. (Art. 4)

  • Samoan

    (1) E mafai e se'i vagana ai mataupu o iloiloga faa-faamasinoga e faatulai mai o i taualumaga i totonu o le Vaega IXFaamasinoga o Fanua ma Suafa, so o se tagata ona talosaga i le Faamasinoga Sili i taualumaga tatau ina ia faamamaluina aia tatau e pei ona tuuina atu e tusa ma aiaiga o lenei Vaega.
    (2) O le a i le Faamasinoga Sili le pule e faia ai poloaiga uma e pei ona o le a tusa ma tatau ai ina ia maua mo le tagata na talosaga mai le faafiafiaina i so o se tasi o aia tatau e pei ona tuuina atu e tusa ma aiaiga o lenei Vaega. (Mataupu 4)

Judicial Protection
  • English

    (1) Except for Part IX Land and Titles Court and subject to the provisions of this Constitution, the Court of Appeal shall have jurisdiction to hear and determine:
    ...
    (c) an appeal from any decision of the Supreme Court in any proceedings under the provision of Article 4.
    ... (Art. 75)

  • Samoan

    (1) Ae vagana ai mo le Vaega IX Faamasinoga o Fanua ma Suafa i le noatia ai i aiaiga o lenei Faavae, o le a i ai i le Faamasinoga o Talosaga le puleaga e faafofogaina ai ma fuafua tatau:
    ...
    (c) se talosaga e faasaga i so o se faaiuga a le Faamasinoga Sili e tusa ma aiaiga o le Mataupu 4.
    ... (Mataupu 75)

National Human Rights Bodies
  • English

    1. There is to be an Ombudsman (Komesina o Sulufaiga) appointed by the Head of State acting on the recommendation of the Legislative Assembly.
    2. The Ombudsman is to be appointed pursuant to the selection and appointment criteria and other terms and conditions provided by Act.
    … (Art. 82A)

  • Samoan

    (1) O le a tatau ona i ai o se Komesina o Sulufaiga (Ombudsman) e tofia e Le Ao o le Malo, i le faia i luga o le fautuaga a le Fono Aoao Faitulafono.
    (2) O le a tofia le Komesina o Sulufaiga e tusa ai ma taiala o filifiliga ma tofiga ma isi tuutuuga ma aiaiga o galuega ua aiaia e le Tulafono.
    … (Mataupu 82A)

National Human Rights Bodies
  • English
    The functions of the Ombudsman are:

    b. to carry out the functions relating to human rights provided by Act;
    … (Art. 82B)
  • Samoan
    O galuega tauave nei a le Komesina o Sulufaiga:

    (e) ia tauaveina galuega tauave e faasino i aia tatau faale-tagata soifua o aiaia e Tulafono;
    … (Mataupu 82B)
Limitations and/or Derogations
  • English
    (1) When a Proclamation of Emergency has been made and so long as it remains in force, the Head of State may from time to time make such Orders (hereinafter referred to as Emergency Orders) as appear to him to be necessary or expedient for securing the public safety, the defence of Samoa and the efficient prosecution of any war in which Samoa may be engaged, for maintaining public order and the supplies and services essential to the life of the community, and generally for safeguarding the interests and maintaining the welfare of the community.
    (2) Emergency Orders may empower or provide for empowering such authorities, persons or classes of persons as may be specified in the Orders to make regulations, rules or bylaws for any of the purposes for which Emergency Orders are authorised under the provisions of this Article to be made, and may contain such incidental and supplementary provisions as appear to the Head of State to be necessary or expedient for making effective the powers conferred under the provisions of clause (1).
    (3) Every Emergency Order, if otherwise valid, shall have effect notwithstanding anything contained in Part II.
    (4) No provision of any Emergency Order, and no regulation, rule or by-law duly made under the provisions of any such Order, shall be invalid because it deals with any matter already provided for under any law or because of any inconsistency with any such law. (Art. 106)
  • Samoan
    (1) I se tulaga ua uma ai ona faia se Poloaiga o se Faalavelave Tupu Faafuasei ma i le vaitaimi uma e faamamaluina ai, e mafai e le Ao o le Malo mai i lea taimi i lea taimi ona faia ni poloaiga (e amata atu nei ona taua o Poloaiga o Faalavelave Tutupu Faafuasei) e pei ona o le a ia silafia ua tatau po o le faafaigofieina ai mo le taofimauina o le saogalemu o le atunuu, le puipuiga o Samoa mai taua faapea le faataunuuina i se tulaga manaomia o so o se taua e ono auai Samoa, mo le tausiga o le nofo filemu o tagata atoa ma mea e fia maua mai ma galuega e tatau mo le soifuaga o tagata uma, ma i le itu aoao mo le puipuiga malu o aia ma le tausiga o le sologa manuia o le atunuu.
    (2) E mafai e Poloaiga o Faalavelave Tutupu Faafuasei ona tuuina atu le pule po o le aiaia mo le tuuina atu o le pule i ni pulega, tagata po o vasega o tagata e pei ona o le a faasinoina mai i Poloaiga ia fai ai tulafono faatonutonu, tulafono e puipui ai po o tulafono iti mo so o se faatatauga ua faatagaina ai Poloaiga o Faalavelave Tutupu Faafuasei e tusa ma aiaiga o lenei Mataupu ina ia faia, ma e mafai ona aofia ai ni aiaiga faaopoopo ma itu e aafia e pei ona silafia e le Ao o le Malo ua tatau ai po o le talafeagai ma le tulaga ua i ai mo le faatinoina o pulega na tuuina atu e tusa ma aiaiga o le fuaiupu (1).
    (3) O poloaiga o faalavelave tutupu faafuasei uma, ae ese ai pe a o tumau pea le faaaogaina, o le a faatinoina e ui lava i so o se mea o lo o aofia i le Vaega II.
    (4) E leai se aiaiga o so o se Poloaiga o Faalavelave Tutupu Faafuasei, ma e leai se tulafono faatonutonu po o se tulafono e puipui ai po o se tulafono laitiiti na faia ma le tatau ai e tusa ma aiaiga o so o sea Poloaiga, o le a faaleaogaina ona ua faapea e faasino i so o se mataupu ua uma ona aiaia e so o se tulafono po ona o le le talafeagai ai ma sea tulafono. (Mataupu 106)
Participation in Public Life and Institutions
  • English
    (1) All persons are equal before the law and entitled to equal protection under the law.
    (2) Except as expressly authorised under the provisions of this Constitution, no law and no executive or administrative action of the State shall, either expressly or in its practical application, subject any person or persons to any disability or restriction or confer on any person or persons any privilege or advantage on grounds only of descent, sex, language, religion, political or other opinion, social origin, place of birth, family status, or any of them.
    (3) Nothing in this Article shall
    (a) Prevent the prescription of qualifications for the service of Samoa or the service of a body corporate directly established under the law;
    … (Art. 15)
  • Samoan
    (1) E tutusa tagata uma i luma o le tulafono ma e tofu tatau ona maua le puipuiga tutusa i lalo o le tulafono.
    (2) Vagana ai e pei ona faatagaina manino e lenei Faavae, e leai se tulafono ma e leai se gaoioiga a le Malo tau le pulega faatonu po o le tausiga o le a, po o lona faamatalaina manino ai pe faatino mai ai se mafatiaga o so o se tagata po o ni tagata i so o se itu e le mafai ai po o le faasaina po o le tuuina atu i so o se tagata po o ni tagata so o se tulaga aloaia po o le tulaga taugamalie ona o le avea ma mafuaaga lona tupuaga, tane pe se fafine, gagana, lotu, taofi tau upu fai o malo po o se isi lava taofi, mafuaaga faale-vafealoai, nuu na fanau ai, tulaga faale-aiga, po o nisi lava o ia mea.
    (3) E leai se mea i lenei Mataupu o le a:
    (a) taofia ai le tusia o tulaga agavaa mo le aufaigaluega a le malo o Samoa po o galuega a se kamupani ua faatuina tonu e tusa ma le tulafono; po o le
    … (Mataupu 15)
Political Rights and Association
  • English
    (1) All citizens of Samoa shall have the right:

    (c) to form associations or unions;
    … (Art. 13)
  • Samoan
    (1) O tagatanuu o Samoa uma o le a i ai le aia tatau:

    (i) ia faatuina ni faalapotopotoga ma ni faapotopotoga soo-faatasi; ma
    … (Mataupu 13)
National level
  • English

    (1) Subject to the provisions of this Article, the Legislative Assembly shall consist of one member elected for each of 51 electoral constituencies having names, and comprising of villages or sub-villages as are prescribed from time to time by Act.
    (1A) Subject to this Article, women Members of the Legislative Assembly shall:
    (a) consist of a minimum of 10% of the Members of the Legislative Assembly specified under clause (1) which for the avoidance of doubt is presently five (5); and
    (b) be elected pursuant to clause (1) or become additional Members pursuant to clause (1B), (1D) or (1E).
    (1B) If, following any general election:
    (a) all members elected under clause (1) are men, the prescribed number of women candidates (if any) with the highest number of votes shall become additional Members; or
    (b) less than the prescribed number of women candidates are elected under clause (1), the remaining prescribed number of women candidates (if any) with the highest number of votes shall become additional Members for the purposes of clause (1A).
    (1C) Clause (1B) does not apply if the prescribed number of women are all elected under clause (1).
    (1D) If the seat of an additional Member becomes vacant, it shall, despite Article 48, be filled by the woman candidate (if any) who has the next highest number of votes at the last election or general election.
    (1E) Subject to Article 48, if a seat under clause (1) held by a woman becomes vacant, to which a man is elected to fill that vacant seat, the woman candidate (if any) with the highest number of votes from that election or the last election or general election shall become the additional Member.
    (1F) If, in the selection of the required number of women under clause (1B), (1D) or (1E), two (2) or more candidates have equal number of votes, the additional Member shall be selected by lot before the Electoral Commissioner with the presence of the candidates or their authorised representatives and at least two (2) police officers.
    (1G) If a woman candidate becomes an additional Member of a constituency (irrespective of a woman candidate being elected to that constituency), no other woman candidate from the same constituency shall become an additional Member unless there is no other woman candidate from any other constituency to make up the required prescribed number.

    (5) In this Article, unless the context otherwise requires:
    “Additional Member” means a woman who is a Member of Parliament by virtue of clause (1B), (1D), or (1E) for the purposes of clause (1A);
    “Highest number of votes” means the percentage of the total valid votes in a constituency polled by a woman candidate;
    “Prescribed number” means the minimum number of woman Members of Parliament specified under clause (1A). (Art. 44)

  • Samoan

    (1) I le noatia ma le fai fuafua i aiaiga o lenei Mataupu, o le Fono Aoao Faitulafono, e tatau ona aofia ai le sui usufono e toatasi ua filifilia mo itumalo faiga palota taitasi e 51 ua i ai igoa, ma e aofia ai nuu po o pitonuu e pei ona faatonuina mai lea taimi i lea taimi e le Tulafono.
    (1A) I le noatia ma le fai fuafua i lenei Mataupu, e tatau i Sui Usufono tamaitai o le Fono Aoao Faitulafono ona:
    (a) aofia ai se fuainumera maualalo a itiiti mai e 10% o Sui Usufono o le Fono Aoao Faitulafono ua faamaoti mai i lalo o le fuaiupu (1) lea e mo le aveesea ai o se tulaga masalomia, e toalima (5) o lo o i ai i le taimi nei; ma
    (e) ia filifilia e tusa ai ma le fuaiupu (1) po o ia avea ai ma Sui Usufono faaopoopo e tusa ai ma le fuaiupu (1E), (1O) po o le (1U).
    (1E) Afai, i le maea ai o so o se faiga palota aoao:
    (a) o sui usufono uma ua filifilia i lalo o le fuaiupu (1) o alii, o le aofai faatonuina o sui tamaitai (pe afai e iai) e maua le fuainumera aupito i maualuga o palota, e tatau ona avea ma Sui Usufono faaopoopo; po o
    (e) e itiiti ifo mai le aofai faatonuina o sui tamaitai ua filifilia i lalo o le fuaiupu (1), o le aofai faatonuina o sui tamaitai o lo o totoe (pe afai e i ai) e maua le fuainumera aupito i maualuga o palota, e tatau ona avea ma Sui Usufono faaopoopo mo faamoemoega o le fuaiupu (1A).
    (1I) E lē faaaogāina le fuaiupu (1E) pe afai ua filifilia uma le aofai faatonuina o tamaitai i lalo o le fuaiupu (1).
    (1O) Afai ua avanoa le nofoa o se Sui Usufono faaopoopo, e tatau, e ui lava i le Mataupu 48, ona faatumuina e se sui tamaitai (pe afai e i ai) o ia lea na ia maua le fuainumera maualuga e sosoo atu i ai o palota i le faiga palota po o le faiga palota aoao talu ai.
    (1U) I le noatia ma le fai fuafua i le Mataupu 48, afai ua avanoa se nofoa sa umia e se tamaitai i lalo o le fuaiupu (1), lea ua filifilia i ai se alii na te faatumuina lea nofoa, o le sui tamaitai (pe afai e i ai) na ia maua le fuainumera aupito i maualuga o palota mai lea faiga palota po o le faiga palota talu ai po o le faiga palota aoao, e tatau ona avea ma Sui Usufono faaopoopo.
    (1F) Afai, i le filifiliga o le fuainumera manaomia o tamaitai i lalo o le fuaiupu (1E), (1O) po o le (1U), e toalua (2) po o le sili atu foi o sui faatutu e tutusa le aofai o palota na maua, e tatau ona filifili le Sui Usufono faaopoopo e ala i le faia o se sei i luma o le Komesina o Faiga Palota i le auai ai o sui faatutu po o o latou sui faatagaina ma a itiiti mai e toalua (2) leoleo.
    (1G) Afai e avea se sui faatu tamaitai ma Sui Usufono faaopoopo o se itumalo faaalaalafaga (e aunoa ma le amanaiaina o le filifilia o se sui faatu tamaitai i lea itumalo faaalaalafaga), e lē tatau ona avea se isi sui faatu tamaitai mai le itumalo faaalaalafaga lava lea ma Sui Usufono faaopoopo seia vagana ai e le o i ai se isi sui faatu tamaitai mai se isi lava itumalo faaalaalafaga e atoa ai le fuainumera faatonuina manaomia.

    (5) I totonu o lenei Mataupu, seia vagana ai ua manaomia e le mataupu se isi uiga e ese ai:
    “Sui Usufono Faaopoopo” o lona uiga o se tamaitai o ia lea o se Sui Usufono o le Palemene e tusa ai o le fuaiupu (1E), (1O) po o le (1U) mo faamoemoega o le fuaiupu (1A);
    “Fuainumera aupito maualuga o palota” o lona uiga o le pasene o le aofaiga atoa o palota aloaia a se itumalo faaalaalafaga na mauaina e se sui faatu tamaitai;
    “Aofaiga faatonuina” o lona uiga o le fuainumera aupito i maualalo o Sui Usufono tamaitai o le Palemene ua faamaoti mai i lalo o le fuaiupu (1A). (Mataupu 44)

Head of State
  • English
    There shall be a Head of State of Samoa to be known as O le Ao o le Malo. (Art. 16)
  • Samoan
    O le a i ai se Ao o le Malo o Samoa o le a taua O le Ao o le Malo. (Mataupu 16)
Head of State
  • English
    1. The Head of State shall be appointed by the Legislative Assembly acting on the recommendation of the party or parties in Government.
    2. A person shall not be qualified to be appointed to the office of Head of State
    a. if he is not a person qualified to be elected as a Member of Parliament; or
    b. if he does not possess such other qualifications as the Legislative Assembly may determine from time to time by resolution; or
    … (Art. 18)
  • Samoan
    (1) O Le Ao o le Malo, o le a tofia e le Fono Aoao Faitulafono, i le faia i luga o le fautuaga a le vaega faaupufai po o ni vaega faaupufai o pulea le Malo.
    (2) O le a le tauagavaaina se tasi ina ia tofia i le tofi o le Ao o le Malo:
    (a) pe afai e le o ia o se tasi e tauagavaaina ina ia tofia e avea ma se Sui Usufono o le Palemene; po o
    (e) afai e le ia te ia nisi uiga agavaa e pei ona o le a fuafua-tatauina e le Fono Aoao Faitulafono mai lea vaitaimi i lea vaitaimi i se iugafono; po o
    … (Mataupu 18)
Head of State
  • English

    1. The executive power of Samoa shall vest in the Head of State and shall be exercised by him or her under the provisions of this Constitution.
    … (Art. 31)

  • Samoan

    (1) O le pulega faatonu o Samoa o le a i le Ao o le Malo ma o le a faaaogaina e ia e tusa ma aiaiga o lenei Faavae.
    … (Mataupu 31)

Government
  • English

    (1) There shall be a Cabinet of Ministers, who shall have the general direction and control of the executive government of Samoa and shall be collectively responsible therefore to Parliament.
    (2) Cabinet shall be appointed as follows:
    (a) the Head of State shall appoint as Prime Minister to preside over Cabinet a Member of Parliament who commands the confidence of a majority of the Members of Parliament;
    (b) the Head of State shall, acting on the advice of the Prime Minister, appoint not fewer than eight nor more than fourteen other Members of Parliament to be Ministers;
    (b.a) the Head of State shall, acting on the advice of the Prime Minister, appoint one of the Ministers appointed under sub-clause (b) to be Deputy Prime Minister;
    … (Art. 32)

  • Samoan

    (1) O le a i ai se Kapeneta o Minisita, o i latou ia o le a i ai le faatonuga aoao ma le pulea o le pulega faatonu o le Malo o Samoa ma o le a fai mea faalogo uma i latou i le Palemene.
    (2) O le a tofia le Kapeneta e pei ona taua i lalo:
    (a) o le a tofia e le Ao o le Malo e avea ma Palemia ia taitai fono i le Kapeneta se Sui Usufono o le Palemene, o ia lea ua na maua le faatuatuaina e se vaega tele o Sui Usufono o le Palemene;
    (e) o le a tofia e le Ao o le Malo e faia i luga o le fautuaga a le Palemia nisi Sui Usufono o le Palemene ia le itiiti mai na i lo le valu ma ia le sili atu na i lo le sefulu fa e avea ma Minisita;
    (e.a) e tatau i le Ao o le Malo, e faia i luga o le fautuaga a le Palemia, ona tofia se tasi o Minisita i lalo o le faafuaiupu (e) e avea ma Sui Palemia;
    … (Mataupu 32)

Legislature
  • English
    There shall be a Parliament of Samoa, which shall consist of the Head of State and the Legislative Assembly. (Art. 42)
  • Samoan
    O le a i ai se Palemene o Samoa, lea o le a aofia ai le Ao o le Malo ma le Fono Aoao Faitulafono. (Mataupu 42)
Legislature
  • English
    Subject to the provisions of this Constitution, Parliament may make laws for the whole or any part of Samoa and laws having effect outside as well as within Samoa. (Art. 43)
  • Samoan
    Pe afai ua tusa ai ma aiaiga o lenei Faavae, e mafai e le Palemene ona fai Tulafono mo le aoao o Samoa po o so o se vaega atoa ma tulafono e faamamaluina i fafo atu faapea ma totonu o Samoa. (Mataupu 43)
Legislature
  • English

    (1) Subject to the provisions of this Article, the Legislative Assembly shall consist of one member elected for each of 51 electoral constituencies having names, and comprising of villages or sub-villages as are prescribed from time to time by Act.
    (1A) Subject to this Article, women Members of the Legislative Assembly shall:
    (a) consist of a minimum of 10% of the Members of the Legislative Assembly specified under clause (1) which for the avoidance of doubt is presently 5; and
    (b) be elected pursuant to clause (1) or become additional Members pursuant to clause (1B), (1D) or (1E).
    (1B) If, following any general election:
    (a) all members elected under clause (1) are men, the prescribed number of women candidates (if any) with the highest number of votes shall become additional Members; or
    (b) less than the prescribed number of women candidates are elected under clause (1), the remaining prescribed number of women candidates (if any) with the highest number of votes shall become additional Members for the purposes of clause (1A).
    (1C) Clause (1B) does not apply if the prescribed number of women are all elected under clause (1).
    (1D) If the seat of an additional Member becomes vacant, it shall, despite Article 48, be filled by the woman candidate (if any) who has the next highest number of votes at the last election or general election.
    (1E) Subject to Article 48, if a seat under clause (1) held by a woman becomes vacant, to which a man is elected to fill that vacant seat, the woman candidate (if any) with the highest number of votes from that election or the last election or general election shall become the additional Member.
    (1F) If, in the selection of the required number of women under clause (1B), (1D) or (1E), two (2) or more candidates have equal number of votes, the additional Member shall be selected by lot before the Electoral Commissioner with the presence of the candidates or their authorised representatives and at least two (2) police officers.
    (1G) If a woman candidate becomes an additional Member of a constituency (irrespective of a woman candidate being elected to that constituency), no other woman candidate from the same constituency shall become an additional Member unless there is no other woman candidate from any other constituency to make up the required prescribed number.
    (2) [Repealed by Act 19 of 2015]
    (3) Subject to the provisions of this Constitution, the mode of electing members of the Legislative Assembly, the terms and conditions of their membership, the qualifications of voters, and the manner in which the roll for each electoral constituency roll shall be established and kept shall be prescribed by law.
    (4) Members of the Legislative Assembly (including additional Members) shall be known as Members of Parliament.
    (5) In this Article, unless the context otherwise requires:
    “Additional Member” means a woman who is a Member of Parliament by virtue of clause (1B), (1D), or (1E) for the purposes of clause (1A);
    “Highest number of votes” means the percentage of the total valid votes in a constituency polled by a woman candidate;
    “Prescribed number” means the minimum number of woman Members of Parliament specified under clause (1A). (Art. 44)

  • Samoan

    (1) I le noatia ma le fai fuafua i aiaiga o lenei Mataupu, o le Fono Aoao Faitulafono, e tatau ona aofia ai le sui usufono e toatasi ua filifilia mo itumalo faiga palota taitasi e 51 ua i ai igoa, ma e aofia ai nuu po o pitonuu e pei ona faatonuina mai lea taimi i lea taimi e le Tulafono.
    (1A) I le noatia ma le fai fuafua i lenei Mataupu, e tatau i Sui Usufono tamaitai o le Fono Aoao Faitulafono ona:
    (a) aofia ai se fuainumera maualalo a itiiti mai e 10% o Sui Usufono o le Fono Aoao Faitulafono ua faamaoti mai i lalo o le fuaiupu (1) lea e mo le aveesea ai o se tulaga masalomia, e toalima (5) o lo o i ai i le taimi nei; ma
    (e) ia filifilia e tusa ai ma le fuaiupu (1) po o ia avea ai ma Sui Usufono faaopoopo e tusa ai ma le fuaiupu (1E), (1O) po o le (1U).
    (1E) Afai, i le maea ai o so o se faiga palota aoao:
    (a) o sui usufono uma ua filifilia i lalo o le fuaiupu (1) o alii, o le aofai faatonuina o sui tamaitai (pe afai e iai) e maua le fuainumera aupito i maualuga o palota, e tatau ona avea ma Sui Usufono faaopoopo; po o
    (e) e itiiti ifo mai le aofai faatonuina o sui tamaitai ua filifilia i lalo o le fuaiupu (1), o le aofai faatonuina o sui tamaitai o lo o totoe (pe afai e i ai) e maua le fuainumera aupito i maualuga o palota, e tatau ona avea ma Sui Usufono faaopoopo mo faamoemoega o le fuaiupu (1A).
    (1I) E lē faaaogāina le fuaiupu (1E) pe afai ua filifilia uma le aofai faatonuina o tamaitai i lalo o le fuaiupu (1).
    (1O) Afai ua avanoa le nofoa o se Sui Usufono faaopoopo, e tatau, e ui lava i le Mataupu 48, ona faatumuina e se sui tamaitai (pe afai e i ai) o ia lea na ia maua le fuainumera maualuga e sosoo atu i ai o palota i le faiga palota po o le faiga palota aoao talu ai.
    (1U) I le noatia ma le fai fuafua i le Mataupu 48, afai ua avanoa se nofoa sa umia e se tamaitai i lalo o le fuaiupu (1), lea ua filifilia i ai se alii na te faatumuina lea nofoa, o le sui tamaitai (pe afai e i ai) na ia maua le fuainumera aupito i maualuga o palota mai lea faiga palota po o le faiga palota talu ai po o le faiga palota aoao, e tatau ona avea ma Sui Usufono faaopoopo.
    (1F) Afai, i le filifiliga o le fuainumera manaomia o tamaitai i lalo o le fuaiupu (1E), (1O) po o le (1U), e toalua (2) po o le sili atu foi o sui faatutu e tutusa le aofai o palota na maua, e tatau ona filifili le Sui Usufono faaopoopo e ala i le faia o se sei i luma o le Komesina o Faiga Palota i le auai ai o sui faatutu po o o latou sui faatagaina ma a itiiti mai e toalua (2) leoleo.
    (1G) Afai e avea se sui faatu tamaitai ma Sui Usufono faaopoopo o se itumalo faaalaalafaga (e aunoa ma le amanaiaina o le filifilia o se sui faatu tamaitai i lea itumalo faaalaalafaga), e lē tatau ona avea se isi sui faatu tamaitai mai le itumalo faaalaalafaga lava lea ma Sui Usufono faaopoopo seia vagana ai e le o i ai se isi sui faatu tamaitai mai se isi lava itumalo faaalaalafaga e atoa ai le fuainumera faatonuina manaomia.
    (2) (Soloia e le Tulafono o Teuteuga o le Faavae 2015, Nu.19).
    (3) Vagana ua tusa ai ma aiaiga o lenei Faavae, o le faatinoina o le filifilia o sui usufono o le Fono Aoao Faitulafono, o taimi ma tuutuuga o lona tulaga faasui usufono, o uiga e tusa ai ma le tulafono mo le tagata palota taitoatasi atoa ma le faiga o le a tausia ai ma faa-vaeina le lisi o igoa o le au palota mo itumalo faapea le lisi o igoa o le au palota taitoatasi o le a tausia ma faavaeina o le a faatuina mai e le tulafono.
    (4) O Sui Usufono o le Fono Aoao Faitulafono (e aofia ai Sui Usufono faaopoopo) e tatau ona taua o Sui Usufono o le Palemene.
    (5) I totonu o lenei Mataupu, seia vagana ai ua manaomia e le mataupu se isi uiga e ese ai:
    “Sui Usufono Faaopoopo” o lona uiga o se tamaitai o ia lea o se Sui Usufono o le Palemene e tusa ai o le fuaiupu (1E), (1O) po o le (1U) mo faamoemoega o le fuaiupu (1A):
    “Fuainumera aupito maualuga o palota” o lona uiga o le pasene o le aofaiga atoa o palota aloaia a se itumalo faaalaalafaga na mauaina e se sui faatu tamaitai;
    “Aofaiga faatonuina” o lona uiga o le fuainumera aupito i maualalo o Sui Usufono tamaitai o le Palemene ua faamaoti mai i lalo o le fuaiupu (1A). (Mataupu 44)

Legislature
  • English
    (1) A person shall be qualified to be elected as a Member of Parliament who:
    (a) is a citizen of Samoa; and
    (b) is not disqualified under the provisions of this Constitution or of any Act.
    … (Art. 45)
  • Samoan
    (1) So o se tagata e tauagavaaina ina ia filifilia ai e avea ma Sui Usufono o le Palemene o ia lea:
    (a) o se tagatanuu o Samoa; ma
    (e) e le i tau faa-le-agavaaina o ia e tusa ma aiaiga o lenei Faavae po o so o se Tulafono.
    … (Mataupu 45)
Property, Inheritance and Land Tenure
  • English
    (1) All land in Samoa is customary land, freehold land or public land.
    (2) Customary land means land held from Samoa in accordance with Samoan custom and usage and with the law relating to Samoan custom and usage.
    (3) Freehold land means land held from Samoa for an estate in fee simple.
    … (Art. 101)
  • Samoan
    (1) O eleele uma i Samoa o eleele tau le aganuu, eleele umia saoloto (fanua na faatauina mai), po o eleele tau le Malo.
    (2) O eleele tau le aganuu o lona uiga o eleele e umia mai ia Samoa e talafeagai ai ma aganuu faa-Samoa ma lo latou faaaogaina ma e tusa ai ma le tulafono e uiga i aganuu faa-Samoa ma lo latou faaaogaina.
    (3) O eleele e umia saoloto o lona uiga o eleele e umia mai ia Samoa mo se fanua na faatauina mai.
    … (Mataupu 101)
Property, Inheritance and Land Tenure
  • English
    It shall not be lawful or competent for any person to make any alienation or disposition of customary land or of any interest in customary land, whether by way of sale, mortgage or otherwise howsoever, nor shall customary land or any interest therein be capable of being taken in execution or be assets for the payment of the debts of any person on his decease or insolvency:
    PROVIDED THAT an Act of Parliament may authorise:
    (a) the granting of a lease or licence of any customary land or of any interest therein;
    (b) the taking of any customary land or any interest therein for public purposes. (Art. 102)
  • Samoan
    O le a le tusa ai ma le tulafono po o le le mafai e so o se tagata ona faaliliueseina atu po o le aveesea mai ia te ia o eleele tau le aganuu po o se itu e tau atu ai i eleele tau le aganuu, i se auala o le faatau atu, lisi, laisene, mokesi, po o se tasi lava faiga, o le a le mafaia lava se eleele tau le aganuu po o se itu e tau i ai ona avea i le faamaapeina po o le fai ma mea e totogiina ai ni aitalafu a so o se tagata ina ua maliu po o le le mafai ona togia o aitalafu:
    VAGANA AI ONA UA FAAPEA, o se Tulafono a le Palemene e mafai ona faatagaina:
    (a) le tuuina atu o se lisi po o se laisene o so o se eleele faale-aganuu po o so o se itu e tau atu i ai i lea eleele;
    (e) le aveina o so o se eleele faale-aganuu po o le tau i ai i lea eleele mo galuega tau le Malo. (Mataupu 102)
Property, Inheritance and Land Tenure
  • English

    (1) There shall be a Land and Titles Court comprising of:
    (a) Land and Titles First Court;
    (b) Land and Titles High Court; and
    (c) Land and Titles Court of Appeal and Review,
    and all appointments and with such jurisdiction in relation to matai title and customary lands provided in this 'Part IX Land and Titles Court' of the Constitution, or an Act of Parliament.
    (2) The Courts in this Part IX Land and Titles Court has special jurisdiction, it governs a legal system different and separate from that of the Civil and Criminal Courts in Part VI; and has special individual jurisdiction over the subject of Samoan customs and usages in relation to matai titles and customary lands.
    (3) All persons are entitled to the protection of their custom rights the subject of the jurisdiction of the courts in this Part. (Art. 104)

  • Samoan

    (1) O le a i ai se Faamasinoga o Fanua ma Suafa e aofia ai:
    (a) Faamasinoga Muamua o Fanua ma Suafa;
    (b) Faamasinoga Maualuga o Fanua ma Suafa; ma le
    (c) Faamasinoga o Talosaga ma Iloiloga o Fanua ma Suafa,
    ma tofiga ma lana puleaga faatatau i mataupu e faasino i suafa matai ma eleele faa-le-aganuu ua aiaia i lenei 'Vaega IX Faamasinoga o Fanua ma Suafa' o le Faavae, po o se Tulafono a le Palemene.
    (2) O Faamasinoga i lenei Vaega IX Faamasinoga o Fanua ma Suafa, e i ai puleaga faapitoa, na te puleaina se faiga faaletulafono ese ma e tu ese mai i Faamasinoga o Mataupu Tau le Va o Tagata ma Solitulafono o i ai i le Vaega VI; ma e i ai le puleaga toatasi faapitoa i mataupu tau i tu ma aganuu faa-Samoa ma Jo latou faaaogaina e faatatau i suafa matai ma eleele faa-le-aganuu.
    (3) E agavaa tagata uma i le puipuiga o a latou aia tatau i aganuu faa-Samoa, o le mataupu autu o le puleaga a Faamasinoga i lenei Vaega. (Mataupu 104)

Property, Inheritance and Land Tenure
  • English

    (2) Subject to the provisions of clause (3), land which immediately before Independence Day is, under the provisions of the Samoa Act 1921, Samoan land, European land or Crown land shall, on and after Independence Day, be held, under the provisions of this Constitution, as customary land, freehold land or public land, respectively.
    (3) All land in Samoa which immediately before Independence Day is vested in the Crown in right of the Government of New Zealand shall, on Independence Day, become freehold land held by Her Majesty the Queen in right of the Government of New Zealand for an estate in fee simple. (Art. 123)
  • Samoan

    (2) Vagana ua tusa ai ma aiaiga o le fuaiupu (3), o eleele ia, e tusa ai ma aiaiga o le Tulafono Faavae o Samoa 1921, o eleele tau Samoa, eleele tau papalagi po o eleele tau le Malo o le a taofia e tusa ai ma aiaiga o lenei Faavae, i le Aso o le Tutoatasi ma ona tua atu, e avea o eleele tau le aganuu, eleele taofia saoloto po o eleele tau le malo e pei ona faasolo ai.
    (3) O eleele uma i Samoa la ia na tuuina atu i le Tupu i le aia tatau a le Malo o Niu Sila i luma tonu mai o le Aso o le Tutoatasi o le a avea ma eleele e taofia saoloto i le Aso o le Tutoatasi e Lana Maiesetete le Tupu Tamaitai i le aia tatau a le Malo o Niu Sila mo se eleele e taofia saoloto. (Mataupu 123)
Protection from Violence
  • English
    No person shall be subjected to torture or to inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment. (Art. 7)
  • Samoan
    E leai se tagata o le a tatau ona faataugaina po o le faia i ai faiga e le tusa ai ma faiga faa-tagata soifua po o le faiga e faalumaina ai po o le faasalaina. (Mataupu 7)
Protection from Violence
  • English
    (1) No person shall be required to perform forced or compulsory labour.
    … (Art. 8)
  • Samoan
    (1) E leai se tagata o le a manaomia ina ia faamalosia po o le uunaiina ia faigaluega.
    … (Mataupu 8)
Status of the Constitution
  • English
    (1) This Constitution shall be the supreme law of Samoa.
    (2) Any existing law and any law passed after the date of coming into force of this Constitution which is inconsistent with this Constitution shall, to the extent of the inconsistency, be void. (Art. 2)
  • Samoan
    (1) O lenei Faavae o le a avea ma tulafono aupito maualuga o Samoa.
    (2) So o se tulafono o lo o i ai nei ma so o se tulafono e pasia ina ua tuanai le aso o le faamamaluina o lenei Faavae, e le talafeagai ma lenei Faavae o le a, i itu uma e le talafeagai ai le aoga. (Mataupu 2)
Religious Law
  • English
    WHEREAS sovereignty over the Universe belongs to the Omni-present God alone, and the authority to be exercised by the people of Samoa within the limits prescribed by His commandments is a sacred heritage;
    WHEREAS the Leaders of Samoa have declared that Samoa should be an Independent State based on Christian principles and Samoan custom and tradition;
    … (Preamble)
  • Samoan
    ONA o le pule aoao i le Lalolagi e i ai lea i le Atua na o Ia, e afio i mea uma lava ma o le pulega e faaaogaina e tagata o Samoa i totonu o tuaoi na faasinoina mai i Tulafono a le Atua o se tofi paia tuufaasolo;
    ONA ua faaalia e Taitai o Samoa le tatau ona avea Samoa ma Malo Tutoatasi e faavaeina i luga o talitonuga faa-Kerisiano ma tu ma aganuu a Samoa;
    … (Uputomua)
Religious Law
  • English


    3. Samoa is a Christian nation founded on God the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit. (Art. 1)

  • Samoan


    (3) O Samoa o se atunuu Kerisiano e faavae i le Atua le Tama, le Alo ma le Agaga Paia. (Mataupu 1)

Customary Law
  • English


    WHEREAS the Leaders of Samoa have declared that Samoa should be an Independent State based on Christian principles and Samoan custom and tradition;
    … (Preamble)

  • Samoan


    ONA ua faaalia e Taitai o Samoa le tatau ona avea Samoa ma Malo Tutoatasi e faavaeina i luga o talitonuga faa-Kerisiano ma tu ma aganuu a Samoa;
    … (Uputomua)

Customary Law
  • English

    Subject to the provisions of this Constitution, customs may be taken into account in all courts under this Part. (Art. 71)

  • Samoan

    I le noatia ma le fai fuafua i aiaiga o lenei Faavae, o aganuu e mafai ona amanaia i faamasinoga uma i lalo o lenei Vaega. (Mataupu 71)

Customary Law
  • English
    A Matai title shall be held in accordance with Samoan custom and usage and with the law relating to Samoan custom and usage. (Art. 100)
  • Samoan
    O le a faaaogaina se suafa Matai e talafeagai ai ma aganuu faa-Samoa ma lo latou faaaogaina ma e tusa ai ma le tulafono, e uiga i aganuu faa-Samoa ma lo latou faaaogaina. (Mataupu 100)
Customary Law
  • English
    (1) All land in Samoa is customary land, freehold land or public land.
    (2) Customary land means land held from Samoa in accordance with Samoan custom and usage and with the law relating to Samoan custom and usage.
    … (Art. 101)
  • Samoan
    (1) O eleele uma i Samoa o eleele tau le aganuu, eleele umia saoloto (fanua na faatauina mai), po o eleele tau le Malo.
    (2) O eleele tau le aganuu o lona uiga o eleele e umia mai ia Samoa e talafeagai ai ma aganuu faa-Samoa ma lo latou faaaogaina ma e tusa ai ma le tulafono e uiga i aganuu faa-Samoa ma lo latou faaaogaina.
    … (Mataupu 101)
Customary Law
  • English

    (1) There shall be a Land and Titles Court comprising of:
    (a) Land and Titles First Court;
    (b) Land and Titles High Court; and
    (c) Land and Titles Court of Appeal and Review,
    and all appointments and with such jurisdiction in relation to matai title and customary lands provided in this 'Part IX Land and Titles Court' of the Constitution, or an Act of Parliament.
    (2) The Courts in this Part IX Land and Titles Court has special jurisdiction, it governs a legal system different and separate from that of the Civil and Criminal Courts in Part VI; and has special individual jurisdiction over the subject of Samoan customs and usages in relation to matai titles and customary lands.
    (3) All persons are entitled to the protection of their custom rights the subject of the jurisdiction of the courts in this Part. (Art. 104)

  • Samoan

    (1) O le a i ai se Faamasinoga o Fanua ma Suafa e aofia ai:
    (a) Faamasinoga Muamua o Fanua ma Suafa;
    (b) Faamasinoga Maualuga o Fanua ma Suafa; ma le
    (c) Faamasinoga o Talosaga ma Iloiloga o Fanua ma Suafa,
    ma tofiga ma lana puleaga faatatau i mataupu e faasino i suafa matai ma eleele faa-le-aganuu ua aiaia i lenei 'Vaega IX Faamasinoga o Fanua ma Suafa' o le Faavae, po o se Tulafono a le Palemene.
    (2) O Faamasinoga i lenei Vaega IX Faamasinoga o Fanua ma Suafa, e i ai puleaga faapitoa, na te puleaina se faiga faaletulafono ese ma e tu ese mai i Faamasinoga o Mataupu Tau le Va o Tagata ma Solitulafono o i ai i le Vaega VI; ma e i ai le puleaga toatasi faapitoa i mataupu tau i tu ma aganuu faa-Samoa ma Jo latou faaaogaina e faatatau i suafa matai ma eleele faa-le-aganuu.
    (3) E agavaa tagata uma i le puipuiga o a latou aia tatau i aganuu faa-Samoa, o le mataupu autu o le puleaga a Faamasinoga i lenei Vaega. (Mataupu 104)

Customary Law
  • English
    (1) In this Constitution, unless it is otherwise provided or the context otherwise requires:

    "Law" means any law for the time being in force in Samoa; and includes this Constitution, any Act of Parliament and any proclamation, regulation, order, by-law or other act of authority made thereunder, the English common law and equity for the time being in so far as they are not excluded by any other law in force in Samoa, and any custom or usage which has acquired the force of law in Samoa or any part thereof under the provisions of any Act or under a judgement of a Court of competent jurisdiction:
    … (Art. 111)
  • Samoan
    (1) I lenei Faavae, vagana ai ua ese ona aiaia po o le ese ai le aano e manaomia:

    “Tulafono” o lona uiga o so o se tulafono ua faamamaluina mo lenei vaitaimi i Samoa; ma e aofia ai lenei Faavae, so o se Tulafono a le Palemene ma so o se faaaliga faasalalau, tulafono faatonutonu, poloaiga, tulafono-iti po o se tasi tulafono o le pulega faavae ua faia ai i ina, tulafono tau le aganuu a Egelani ma le faamasinoga tonu tau le loto fuatiaifo o lo o faaaogaina mo lenei taimi i se tulaga e oo atu i ai pe afai e le o tuuesea e se tasi lava tulafono o lo o faamamaluina i Samoa, ma so o se tu ma aganuu ua i ai le malosi faapei o le tulafono i totonu o Samoa, po o se tasi o ona vaega i lalo o aiaiga o so o se tasi o Tulafono po o lalo o se faaiuga a se Faamasinoga tau le puleaga tomai;
    … (Mataupu 111)
1

Constitution of the Independent State of Samoa 1960, as amended to 2019 (English), available in HeinOnline World Constitutions Illustrated Library (2024); Amendment to the Constitution 2020 (English), available in HeinOnline World Constitutions Illustrated Library (2024).

2

Constitution of the Independent State of Samoa 1960, as amended to 2019 (Samoan), available in HeinOnline World Constitutions Illustrated Library (2024); Amendment to the Constitution 2020 (Samoan), available in HeinOnline World Constitutions Illustrated Library (2024).

Documents last visited 8 January 2024