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The challenges of reforming Vanuatu’s plural adoption laws

Lookup NU author(s): Professor Sue FarranORCiD

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Abstract

The focus of this article is adoption in the Pacific State of the Republic of Vanuatu. Previously an Anglo-French condominium known as the New Hebrides, Vanuatu has a plural legal system of indigenous customary law, French Civil law and Common Law from England and Wales. While the independence constitution kept laws introduced by the colonial administrations in force only as a transitional measure, pending the new legislature making it own laws, many introduced laws remain in force. This plurality informs the current laws relating to adoption, the application of which has raised a number of issues, prompting calls for reform. Proposed reform has now been drafted, although not yet passed into law. Against a background of international obligations relating to children and the contemporary demographic context of Vanuatu, this article considers the current law and the questions that have come before the courts through an analysis of case law and consequent critical commentary, and the proposed legislation, seeking to establish whether the latter sufficiently addresses the former, or whether more may need to be done.

Publication metadata

Author(s): Farran S, Corrin J

Publication type: Article

Publication status: Published

Journal: International Journal of Law, Policy and the Family

Year: 2026

Volume: 40

Issue: 1

Online publication date: 04/09/2026

Acceptance date: 26/07/2026

Date deposited: 10/08/2026

ISSN (print): 1360-9939

ISSN (electronic): 1464-3707

Publisher: Oxford University Press

URL: https://doi.org/10.1093/lawfam/ebag029

DOI: 10.1093/lawfam/ebag029

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