Constitution of Solomon Islands 1978, as amended to 2023
Jurisdiction and Access
  • English

    (1) Subject to the provisions of section 31(3) and 98(1) of, and paragraph 10 of Schedule 2 to, this Constitution, if any person alleges that any provision of this Constitution (other than Chapter II) has been contravened and that his interests are being or are likely to be affected by such contravention, then, without prejudice to any other action with respect to the same matter which is lawfully available, that person may apply to the High Court for a declaration and for relief under this section.
    (2) The High Court shall have jurisdiction, in any application made by any person in pursuance of the preceding subsection or in any other proceedings lawfully brought before the Court, to determine whether any provision of this Constitution (other than Chapter II) has been contravened and to make a declaration accordingly:
    Provided that the High Court shall not make a declaration in pursuance of the jurisdiction conferred by this subsection unless it is satisfied that the interests of the person by whom the application under the preceding subsection is made or, in the case of other proceedings before the Court, a party to those proceedings, are being or are likely to be affected.
    (3) Where the High Court makes a declaration in pursuance of the preceding subsection that any provision of the Constitution has been contravened and the person by whom the application under subsection (1) of this section was made or, in the case of other proceedings before the Court, the party in those proceedings in respect of whom the declaration is made, seeks relief, the High Court may grant to that person such remedy, being a remedy available against any person in any proceedings in the High Court under any law for the time being in force in Solomon Islands, as the Court considers appropriate.
    (4) Nothing in this section shall confer jurisdiction on the High Court to hear or determine any such question as is referred to in Section 52 of this Constitution otherwise than upon an application made in accordance with the provisions of that section. (Sec. 83)

Jurisdiction and Access
  • English
    (1) The High Court shall have jurisdiction to supervise any civil or criminal proceedings before any subordinate court and may make such orders, issue such writs and give such directions as it may consider appropriate for the purpose of ensuring that justice is duly administered by any such court.
    (2) Where any question as to the interpretation of any provision of this Constitution other than Chapter II arises in any subordinate court and the court is of opinion that the question involves a substantial question of law, the court shall refer the question to the High Court.
    (3) Where any question is referred to the High Court in pursuance of the preceding subsection, the High Court shall give its decision upon the question and the court in which the question arose shall dispose of the case in accordance with that decision or, if that decision is the subject of an appeal to the Court of Appeal, in accordance with the decision of the Court of Appeal. (Sec. 84)
1

Constitution of Solomon Islands 1978, as amended to 2018 (English); 2022 Amendment to the Constitution (English); 2023 Amendment to the Constitution (English). The most recent consolidated version of the Constitution does not reflect correctly Section 15, which was not amended since the Constitution's adoption in 1978. For section 15, please refer to the Constitution of Solomon Islands 1978 (English).

Links to all sites last visited 27 November 2023
2

The most recent consolidated version of the Constitution does not reflect correctly Section 15, which was not amended since the Constitution's adoption in 1978. For section 15, please refer to the 1978 Constitution.

3

The most recent consolidated version of the Constitution does not reflect correctly Section 15, which was not amended since the Constitution's adoption in 1978. For section 15, please refer to the 1978 Constitution.

4

Sections 3 to 16 are part of Chapter II on Protection of Fundamental Rights and Freedoms of the Individuals.

5

The most recent consolidated version of the Constitution does not reflect correctly Section 15, which was not amended since the Constitution's adoption in 1978. For section 15, please refer to the 1978 Constitution.

6

The most recent consolidated version of the Constitution does not reflect correctly Section 15, which was not amended since the Constitution's adoption in 1978. For section 15, please refer to the 1978 Constitution.

7

The most recent consolidated version of the Constitution does not reflect correctly Section 15, which was not amended since the Constitution's adoption in 1978. For section 15, please refer to the 1978 Constitution.

8

The most recent consolidated version of the Constitution does not reflect correctly Section 15, which was not amended since the Constitution's adoption in 1978. For section 15, please refer to the 1978 Constitution.