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.
