Find Legal expertise in Solomon Islands
- Legal System
- Profession
- Development
Legal System
The legal system of the Solomon Islands is a hybrid of local customary law and British Common Law. The court structure in the country broadly follows a three tier model comprised of local and magistrates’ courts, the Court of Appeal and the High Court. The Fiji Court of Appeal is the final court of appeal for many countries in the region including the Solomon Islands. Alongside this is a separate customary court system which predominately deals with land and minor local disputes. These courts are recognised by the constitution as an important part of the Solomon Islands’ legal system. The Land Appeal Court is a customary court set up to hear appeals from the local courts on land issues.
Profession
To become a legal practitioner in the Solomon Islands one must obtain a ‘certificate of qualification’, which is also available to foreign professionals. Under law a legal practitioner can call themselves any of the following ‘barrister/solicitor’, ‘lawyer’, ‘commissioner for oaths’, ‘legal practitioner’ or ‘notary’. Foreign legal professionals must also obtain a work permit and a ‘permit to enter and reside’ in the country, which is available from the Commissioner of Labour. Firms operating in the Solomon Islands include Sol Law, which also has links to Australia and Bridge lawyers, based in Honiara. The Solomon Islands’ Bar Association, the legally recognised body, represents and regulates the profession and is part of the South Pacific Lawyers Association.
Development
Not included in the World Economic Forum, The Global Competitiveness Report 2012-2013.
Legal organisations in Solomon Islands | |
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Public Solicitor’s Office |
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