Convicted Samoa judge resigns

The President of the Samoa Land and Titles Court, Fepulea'i Attila Ropati, has resigned.

The outgoing Chief Justice Patu Tiavasu'e Falefatu Maka Sapolu confirmed that Fepulea'i resigned last week following his conviction of assault by the Court of Appeal.

Patu described the resignation of Fepulea'i as a huge loss to the judiciary.

Patu added that the Judicial Commission was looking for a new judge to take on the role.

Fepulea'i was convicted on one count of intentionally causing bodily harm and ordered to pay a total fine of $US3,500 for attacking a security officer during an end of the year function in 2017.