NZ lawyer

Last week the Court of Appeal in Samoa declared a decision made last August by the former Chief Justice could not stand, that it was unsafe.

Patu Tiava'asu'e Falefatu Sapolu had reserved his decision in 1997 and after retiring last year was given additional time to clear a backlog of unresolved cases.

John Upton said he believed Patu's actions were disgraceful.

"The reason why I say that is that it continued over a period of many many years and it involved many, many cases.

Leulua'ialii was suing Justice Fisher, the President of the Samoa Court of Appeal, for an alleged breach of her rights when he made comments during an appeal hearing last year.

The plaintiff in her submission said the respondent had called her incompetent, amongst other insults, during the hearing.

But the Appeal Court has upheld the Supreme Court decision to strike out the action.

The Court has also ruled the plaintiff must pay the respondents $US15 thousand dollars costs.

Leulua'ialii said she will now take her case to the International Human Rights court.

RNZ reports the director, Mauga Precious Chang, faces two charges of dangerous driving and will appear in court on the 13 September.

The commissioner, Fuiavailili Egon Keil, is yet to enter a plea to four charges including perjury, unlawful detention, providing false statements and disorderly conduct.

The government said for reasons of fairness and equality before the law, it was important an objective view was sought for the cases.