What is Samoa's legal system like?

Samoa is a Pacific island country located on an island, and its legal system is generally based on the British legal system. Samoa was a protectorate of New Zealand before gaining independence in 1962, and New Zealand law was applied in Samoa during this period. Samoa has a parliamentary democracy based on the Westminster model. Fono, the country's legislative body, consists of two assemblies: the Legislative Assembly and the Council of Deputies, which consists of representatives of the regions. The legislature has the power to create and adopt laws. The judicial system in Samoa is also based on the British legal system. The judicial branch consists of the Supreme Court, which consists of the president and judges. The judicial system operates in the fields of civil law and criminal law. Although the courts dispense justice locally, decisions made by the Supreme Court can be appealed. In Samoa, local traditions and customs are considered part of the legal system and are enforced in some cases. For example, traditional customs called fa'asamoa are considered part of the legal process in some cases. As a result, while Samoa's legal system is generally based on the British legal system, local traditions and customs are also considered part of the law in some cases. This shows that the country's legal system has a unique structure.