Samoa

The three branches

Head of state — O le Ao o le Malo

Elected by the Legislative Assembly for a five-year term.

Executive — Cabinet led by the Prime Minister

Responsible to the Legislative Assembly.

Legislative — Legislative Assembly (Fono)

Unicameral; territorial constituency seats are reserved to registered matai, with a minimum of 10% women members.

Judicial — Court of Appeal and Supreme Court

Judges appointed by the Head of State on the Judicial Service Commission's advice.

Customary — Land and Titles Court and village fono

Decide customary title and land, and village order.

How legislation is made

Bills are read three times in the Legislative Assembly, usually with parliamentary committee scrutiny, and are then assented to by the O le Ao o le Malo. Ordinary bills need a simple majority. Constitutional amendments require a two-thirds majority of all members at the third reading, and any amendment affecting customary land or matai titles is politically entrenched by the strength of the fa'a Samoa consensus even where the two-thirds threshold is met.

Enforcement institutions

Samoa Police Service

Largely unarmed national police service.

Office of the Attorney General

Conducts prosecutions and advises government.

Office of the Ombudsman | Komesina o Sulufaiga

Also acts as Samoa's National Human Rights Institution.

Ministry of Justice and Courts Administration

Administers the courts and the registries of titles and land.