Apia, Samoa – 20 June 2025 – The Samoa government can now enact the Constitution Amendment Bill that was passed by parliament on 26 February 2025 on a date suitable to the government.

This follows the Court of Appeal’s decision this week that dismissed the appeal by the Leader and Deputy Leader of the Opposition Party against the Supreme Court decision of 09 May that ruled the Speakers vote valid.

The Bill, that was to effect major changes to the country’s judicial system and court structure, was certified on 26 February 2025 and was supposed to come into effect 7 April 2025.

The HRPP Opposition Party challenged the validity of the Speaker’s vote in a critical constitutional amendment passed in the third reading by a 36-16 vote.

HRPP that brought the changes in a constitutional amendment in December 2020, tried to stop it by challenging the vote in the Supreme Court.

The Chief Justice Satiu Simativa Perese ruled in early May that the Speakers vote was valid and issued an order to stop the implementation of the Act until the Court of Appeal hears the appeal.

In dismissing the appeal, the Court of Appeal ruled “the order is now discharged with the effect that the Act can come into effect on a date suitable to the government.”

The Court of Appeal comprised of Hon. Justice Harrison, Hon. Justice Asher and Hon. Justice Young.