Vanuatu · Legislation
Legislation and primary sources
Where to find the authoritative text of the law in Vanuatu, and how to confirm it is still in force.
Sources of law, ranked
- The Constitution
- Supreme law; Article 2 voids inconsistent legislation.
- Acts of Parliament
- Unicameral Parliament of 52 members; laws are published in English and French.
- Custom
- The basis of land ownership under Article 74 and applied under Article 47(1) where no statute or rule covers the point.
- Continued British and French law
- Article 95(2) keeps pre-independence law of both metropolitan systems in force until replaced.
The legislative process
Bills are read three times in the single chamber and assented to by the President, who may refer a bill to the Supreme Court if he considers it inconsistent with the Constitution. Ordinary bills need a simple majority of members present, with a quorum of two-thirds. Constitutional amendments require a two-thirds majority of all members; if the amendment touches the status of Bislama, English or French, land, or the republican form of the state, it must also be approved at a national referendum.
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