Lands and Titles Court

Samoa’s Lands and Titles Court Judge passes away

 Judge Tuloa was rushed to the Tupua Tamasese Mea’ole National Hospital after he collapsed at the Mulinuu Courthouse.

He was pronounced dead at around 9.30am.

Judge Tuloa is a matai from Avano Fasitoo-uta and was one of seven judges who joined the Lands and Titles Court in December 2019.

   

Samoa’s former Lands and Titles court registrar now able to run as candidate

Speaking to Samoa Global News outside the Courthouse after the decision was delivered last Friday, Fata Meafou was relieved and gave thanks to God.

“In all of this, it was only God’s guidance that we relied on, so we first give thanks and praise to God for his grace and love.”

Fata Meafou had been unable to register for the April 2021 elections because the Afega Village Representative (Sui o le Nuu) as well as the Woman Representative (Sui Tamaitai o le Nuu STN) would not sign an oath confirming his “monotaga” or village service, as is required by the Electoral Act.

Samoa appoints three new judges to Lands and Titles Court

This follows the suspension of three judges from the court pending a justice ministry investigation into allegations regarding a decision the three were involved in.

The new judges are Tuautu Kalepo Tuautu who is the former head of the Births, Deaths, and Marriages office, Leilua Opapo Soanai, a former Congregational Christian Church minister, and Leu Alani Ulia, who was one of the assessors of the Lands and Titles court.

     

Samoa President of Lands and Titles court takes leave

The President is facing charges of assault and weapons charges in the District Court.

Papalii John Taimalelagi of the Ministry of Justice and Courts said the Chief Justice who is the chairman of the Judiciary Commission has accepted the President's application for leave.

Fepulea'i Attila Ropati, will appear in court on Tuesday.

The complainant in the case is the Ministry of Justice's night watchman.

The president is accused of actual bodily harm, assault and being armed with a dangerous weapon.

     

Samoa on track to separate Lands and Titles Court

In a speech to parliament, the Prime Minister Tuila'epa Sa'ilele Malielegaoi revealed that the Attorney General's office is drafting a new legislation for the separation as well as the formation of a commission to administrate and make guidelines for judges.

RNZ reports Tuila'epa strongly criticised the judges of the Lands and Titles court for not accepting the parliamentary committee's request for them to appear before the inquiry.

Parliament debates bill on Lands and Titles Court

The notion was triggered when the PM said he has received a lot of complaints written to him from members of the public regarding the decisions made in the Lands and Titles Court allegedly being false or unfair.

“When they write to me and ask me for help, I certainly cannot sit still because it is my job to answer to what the country needs,” said PM Tuilaepa.