Samoa’s Chief Justice, Patu Tiavaasue Falefatu Sapolu, has been given a 9 month extension to his contract in a decision Prime Minister Tuilaepa Sailele Malielegaoi said was based on “common sense”.
Tuilaepa told media yesterday of the decision that had been approved by the Head of State, Tuimalealiifano Vaaletoa Sualauvi II, based on his advice.
Chief Executive Officer of the Ministry of Justice, Papalii John Taimalelagi told KHJ News this morning that his office has received the Cabinet decision paper and confirmed that the extension was for nine months only.
He said the mandatory retirement age for court judges was 68 years and Patu had exceeded that mandatory age.
He did not know the CJ’s exact age but said Patu was older than that.
Tuilaepa said he gave the advice for an extension because he knew there were court cases the CJ had presided over that needed to be dealt with, only by the CJ himself.
CEO Papalii said the Chief Justice position is enshrined in the constitution and only the Head of State can make an appointment based on the advice of the Prime Minister.
