Judiciary of Solomon Islands

The legal system is derived from chapter VII, part II of the Constitution, adopted when the country became independent from the United Kingdom in 1978.

[3] Prior to the beginning of the international Regional Assistance Mission to Solomon Islands (RAMSI) in 2003, designed to restore peace and order in the country and reinforce its institutions, the "justice system was barely functioning, with courts rarely sitting and those awaiting trial often waiting more than two years for their case to be heard".

[4] The judiciary was strengthened over the following years, and as of 2013 RAMSI maintains "19 long-term advisers supporting the Solomon Islands judicial system".

[6] Rulings are issued not by professional judges but by community elders, applying customary law and local by-laws.

Justice Goldsbrough has previously served a five-year terms as a Judge of the High Court of Solomon Islands (2006–2011).

That remained the case until this avenue was effectively extinguished by the judgement of the Privy Council in Bade vs The Queen (of Solomon Islands) 8 June 2016, although this could, at least in theory, be reversed.

The Public Solicitor provides legal assistance to individuals that fall within the circumstances as prescribed by the Parliament.

For instance, the Public Solicitor provides legal aid to those charged with a criminal offense or as ordered by the High Court.

Beforehand, starting in the late 1970s, any legal services were provided by the Social Welfare Solicitors office located within the Honiara City Council's headquarters.