Council for Trade-Related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights - Notification of laws and regulations under article 63.2 of the TRIPS Agreement - Samoa : criminal procedure act 2016

NOTIFICATION OF LAWS AND REGULATIONS
UNDER ARTICLE 63.2 OF THE TRIPS AGREEMENT

SAMOACRIMINAL PROCEDURE ACT 2016

Notifying Member

_Samoa_

 

Details of the notified legal text

Title

CRIMINAL PROCEDURE ACT 2016

Subject matter

Enforcement_

Nature of notification

[  ]    Main dedicated intellectual property law or regulation_

[X]     Other law or regulation_

Link to legal text[*]

https://ip-documents.info/2025/IP/WSM/25_07247_00_e.pdf

Notification status

[X]     First notification

[  ]    Amendment or revision to notified legal text

[  ]_    Replacement or consolidation of notified legal text(s)

Previous notification(s) referred to

Not applicable

Brief description of the notified legal text

 

_The Criminal Procedure Act 2016 establishes a comprehensive statutory framework governing the administration of criminal justice in Samoa. It prescribes the procedures to be followed in the investigation, prosecution, and adjudication of criminal offences, including provisions relating to the commencement of proceedings, arrest, bail, trial, appeals, and related matters. The Act defines the criminal jurisdiction of the Supreme Court, District Courts, and Youth Court, and delineates the respective powers and responsibilities of judicial officers, prosecutors, and law enforcement authorities. It further ensures that proceedings are conducted in accordance with the principles of fairness, due process, and the proper administration of justice.

 

Repeals the following Act:

Criminal Procedure Act 1972

 

Language(s) of notified legal text

English

Entry into force

1 November 2016

Other date

Adoption: 9 February 2016

Notification details

 

Submission date of notification

28 October 2025

Other information

Further details on criminal procedures can be found in the responses to the Checklist of Issues on Enforcement (see document _IP/N/6/WSM/1).

Agency or authority responsible

Administered by the Ministry of Justice and Courts Administration

 

Ministry of Justice and Courts Administration

Mulinuu

Apia, Samoa

P.O. BOX 49

 

 



[*] Links are provided to texts of laws and regulations notified under the TRIPS Agreement in the form supplied by the Member concerned; the WTO Secretariat does not endorse or revise their content.