36
Constitution of the Independent
State of Samoa
has elapsed since that office was last vacated and that there is no
Member of Parliament likely to command the confidence of a
majority of the Members.
(3) The Head of State may at any time, by notice published
in the Samoa Gazette, dissolve the Legislative Assembly, if the
Head of State is advised by the Prime Minister to do so, but shall
not be obliged to act in this respect in accordance with the advice
of the Prime Minister unless the Head of State is satisfied, acting
in his or her discretion, that, in tendering that advice, the Prime
Minister commands the confidence of a majority of the Members
of Parliament.
(4) The Head of State shall dissolve the Legislative Assembly
at the expiry of 5 years from the date of the last preceding general
election, if it has not been sooner dissolved.
64. General elections - There shall be a general election of
the Legislative Assembly at such time within 3 months after
every dissolution of the Assembly as the Head of State appoints
by notice in the Samoa Gazette.
PART VI
JUDICIARY
Division 1 - Supreme Court
65. Establishment of the Supreme Court – There shall be a
Supreme Court of Samoa which, is a superior Court of record and
shall consist of a Chief Justice, and such number of other Judges
as may be determined by the Judicial Service Commission.
66. Constitution of the Supreme Court - (1) The Chief
Justice of the Supreme Court shall be appointed by the Head of
State, acting on the advice of the Prime Minister.
(2) A person shall not be qualified for appointment as a Judge
of the Supreme Court unless the person:
(a)
possesses such qualifications as the Head of State,
acting on the advice of the Judicial Service
Commission, may prescribe; and
(b)
has been in practice as a barrister in Samoa, or in
an approved country, or partly in the one and