Samoa's final court, established at independence in 1962 — Samoa was the first Pacific Island state to become independent, and it never retained an appeal to London or to any foreign court. The bench is constituted for sittings and frequently includes visiting judges from New Zealand and elsewhere in the region. It decided the 2021 constitutional litigation arising from the disputed general election.
How the court is constituted
- Tier
- supreme
- Court type
- Court of final appeal
- Jurisdiction
- Final appeals from the Supreme Court in civil, criminal and constitutional matters.
- Seat
- Apia
- Established
- 1962
- Composition
- Three or more judges, typically the Chief Justice with Justices of Appeal, several non-resident.
- Appointment
- Appointed by the Head of State on the advice of the Judicial Service Commission.
- Languages
- Samoan, English
Where an appeal goes next
None. This is the final court.
Filing at this court
- Notice of appeal
- Within 30 days of the Supreme Court decision
- Sittings
- The court sits in sessions during the year
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