Tonga · Legislation
Legislation and primary sources
Where to find the authoritative text of the law in Tonga, and how to confirm it is still in force.
Sources of law, ranked
- The Act of Constitution 1875
- Supreme law; entrenches the land system and the monarchy.
- Acts of the Legislative Assembly
- Unicameral, with reserved seats for the nobility.
- English common law
- Received by statute; applied where Tongan law is silent.
- Tongan custom
- Underpins the anga fakatonga order and is central to the law of titles and estates.
The legislative process
Bills pass three readings in the Legislative Assembly and require the King's assent, which is a real rather than purely formal step. Ordinary bills need a simple majority. Amendments to the Constitution require a majority in the Assembly at three separate readings and the consent of the King and Privy Council, and clause 79 forbids any amendment affecting the law of liberty, the succession to the throne or the titles and hereditary estates of the nobles.
Found something out of date on Tonga · Legislation?
Corrections are reviewed against the primary source before anything changes.