Court of Appeal

Samoa appeal court to hear FAST swearing in application

FAST had filed an application with the Supreme Court to have it recognise an impromptu swearing-in ceremony of elected members of the new political party.

The Court was yesterday to hear the application and others in opposition.

But an RNZ Pacific correspondent in Samoa Autagavaia Tipi Autagavaia said the court decided to refer them to the Court of Appeal.

Samoa's FAST gets Appeal Court clarification it wanted

The court had said a 6th woman is required to satisfy the constitutional requirements but that any decision on this be delayed until after the electoral petition process is complete.

The caretaker HRPP party, which lost the election on April 9th to the FAST Party by one seat, had used this decision to justify delaying a parliamentary sitting.

The FAST Party this week sought a clarification from the Court of Appeal and its decision has now been made public.

Samoan court voids appeal for additional women's seat

Samoa's Court of Appeal has voided the legal challenge by a Human Rights Protection Party (HRPP) women's candidate, who said she was wrongly removed as an MP.

Ali'imalemanu Alofa Tuuau had been appointed as the 6th woman's MP by the Electoral Commissioner, but then had her appointment rescinded in a decision by the Supreme Court.

That decision gave the newcomer Fa'atuatua i le Atua Samoa ua Tasi (FAST) party the slimmest majority in the new parliament, and this latest decision now confirms that.

Samoa court reserves decision in seat challenge

Yesterday, the court heard the appeal from the Electoral Commissioner and HRPP candidate Aliimalemanu Alofa Tuuau on Article 44 of the Constitution that requires an additional women's seat if elected women do not make up 10 percent of parliament.

Last month, the Supreme Court ruled that the five elected women members met the requirements but the appellants contend there should be a sixth seat to meet the required 10 percent.

That ruling gave the FAST party a majority.

Samoa court reserves decision in seat challenge

Yesterday, the court heard the appeal from the Electoral Commissioner and HRPP candidate Aliimalemanu Alofa Tuuau on Article 44 of the Constitution that requires an additional women's seat if elected women do not make up 10 percent of parliament.

Last month, the Supreme Court ruled that the five elected women members met the requirements under Article 44 but the appellants contend there should be a sixth seat to meet the required 10 percent.

That ruling gave the FAST party a majority.

Samoa court ruling that took 22 years thrown out

In 1997 insurance company NPI was sued by a Samoan business, Vaivaimuli Corporation, contesting insurance coverage for a building wrecked by Cyclone Ofa seven years earlier.

The case, before Samoa's long time chief justice and now retired Patu Tiavasue Falefatu Sapolu, didn't result in a decision until August of last year, several months after the judge had retired, and 22 years after the hearing.

Among other things files had gone missing and the judge had to rely on notes from one of the parties.

Samoa former LTA legal officer found guilty in appeal court

Pepe was jointly charged with another former senior employee of the LTA, Mata'afa Sepelini, who was found guilty of six counts including using altered or reproduced documents with intent to deceive and using forged documents.

The charges related to the registration of public vehicles between December 2017 and March 2018.

The appeal court ruled the acquittal of Pepe was deemed to be unreasonable.

The judges entered a guilty verdict and ordered for sentencing in the supreme court at a later date.

Solomons appeals court affirms MPs tax free pay

The Parliamentary Entitlements Committee, which has MPs sitting on it, voted last year to make MPs' salaries tax free.