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The Global Gender Equality Constitutional Database is a repository of gender equality related provisions in 194 constitutions from around the world. The Database was updated in partnership with the International Bar Association's Human Rights Institute (IBAHRI) and with support from the Swedish International Development Agency (SIDA) and the Government of Japan. Experience its wealth and depth of information by starting your search now.
Jurisdiction and Access
- English
(1) An appeal may be made from a decision of the Court of Appeal to the Sovereign in Council —
(a) with the leave of the Court of Appeal —
(i) in the case of a final decision on a question as to the interpretation or application of this Constitution; or
(ii) in the case of a final decision in proceedings under Division 5 (Enforcement of the Bill of Rights) of Part II;
… (Sec. 139)
Jurisdiction and Access
- English
(1) The Supreme Court shall, to the exclusion of any other court, have original jurisdiction to determine any question arising under or involving the interpretation or effect of any provision of this Constitution.
(2) Without prejudice to any appellate jurisdiction of the Supreme Court, where in any proceedings before another court a question arises involving the interpretation or effect of any provision of this Constitution, the cause shall be removed into the Supreme Court, which shall 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. (Art. 54)
Jurisdiction and Access
- English…
(3) The Court of Appeal has jurisdiction, subject to this Constitution and to such requirements as prescribed by written law, to hear and determine appeals from all judgments of the High Court, and has such other jurisdiction as is conferred by written law.
(4) Appeals lie to the Court of Appeal as of right from a final judgment of the High Court in any manner arising under this Constitution or involving its interpretation.
… (Sec. 99) - iTaukei…
(3) Na Mataveilewai ni Rogokudru e tiko vua na kaukauwa, vakavo ke virikotori ena Yavunivakavulewa qo kei na veilawa tabaki tale e so, me rogoca ka vakatulewa ena lewa sa tauca na Mataveilewai e Cake ka tu vua na kaukauwa tale e so e vakadeitaki ena lawa tabaki.
(4) Na taro kece se vakavakadewa me baleta na Yavunivakavulewa qo e rawa ni dikeva tale na Mataveilewai ni Rogokudru ena gauna sa vakatulewa oti kina na Mataveilewai e Cake.
… (Sec. 99)
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)
Jurisdiction and Access
- English1. An appeal shall lie as of right to the Judicial Committee from any decision of the High Court involving the interpretation of this Constitution in any proceedings in which application has been made to the High Court alleging that any provision of this Constitution has been contravened and the rights or interests of any Banaban or of the Rabi Council under this Chapter or Chapter III are being or are likely to be affected by such contravention.
… (Sec. 123)
Jurisdiction and Access
- English
(1) Subject to subsection (2), the High Court has original jurisdiction to determine any question as to the interpretation or application of this Constitution.
(2) Where —
(a) any question as to the interpretation or application of this Constitution arises in any proceedings in a subordinate court; and
(b) that court is of the opinion that the question involves a substantial question of law,
the court may, and shall if a party to the proceedings so requests, refer the question to the High Court for determination. (Sec. 134)
Jurisdiction and Access
- EnglishWhen a case in a state or local court involves a substantial question requiring the interpretation of the Constitution, national law, or a treaty, on application of a party or on its own motion the court shall certify the question to the appellate division of the Supreme Court. The appellate division of the Supreme Court may decide on the case or remand it for further proceedings. (Art. XI, Sec. 8)
Jurisdiction and Access
- English…
(3) The Supreme Court—
(a) is the final appellate court;
(b) has exclusive jurisdiction, subject to such requirements as prescribed by written law, to hear and determine appeals from all final judgments of the Court of Appeal; and
(c) has original jurisdiction to hear and determine constitutional questions referred under section 91(5).
(4) An appeal may not be brought to the Supreme Court from a final judgment of the Court of Appeal unless the Supreme Court grants leave to appeal.
… (Sec. 98) - iTaukei…
(3) Na Mataveilewai Cecere e—
(a) iotioti ni mataveilewai me rogoci kina e dua na kisi;
(b) tiko vua na lewa cecere duadua, me vaka e vakaroti ena lawa tabaki, me rogoca ka vakatulewa ena lewa sa tauca na Mataveilewai ni Rogokudru; ka
(c) tiko vua na lewa cecere me rogoca ka vakatulewa ena vakatataro ni Yavunivakavulewa me vaka e vakamacalataki ena tikina 91(5).
(4) Na Mataveilewai Cecere ena sega ni rawa ni dikeva tale na vakatulewa ni Mataveilewai ni Rogokudru vakavo kevaka sa vakadonui.
… (Sec. 98)
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
- English1. 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 the 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 under 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 or to the Judicial Committee, in accordance with the decision of the Court of Appeal or the Judicial Committee. (Sec. 89)