By Staff Writer
Chief Justice Satui Simativa Perese is back in Samoa in time to serve out the mandatory 3-weeks managed isolation for the COVID-19 pandemic and into the hearing of election petitions.
The head of Judiciary has had a lengthy stay in New Zealand undergoing medical treatment.
The Ministry of Justice CEO Ms. Moliei Simi Vaai, confirmed the Chief Justice’s arrival at the weekend.
“The CJ makes up 6-Supreme Court justices, who will form up 2-judges per court to preside separately in the election petitions,” CEO Simi-Vaai explained.
All petition hearings are held in the Supreme Court with the dates and times to be scheduled once the 10-day deadline period for filing election complaints is closed.
“There are no time lines for the petitions to be heard so the hearings will be scheduled after the judges go over a checklist of cases filed with the court.”
This is the second time public attention switches over to the Court House at Mulinu’u for the hearing of matters pertaining to the 2021 General Elections.
Challenges by candidates on legal rulings for eligibility to run in the General Elections forced the courts to hold special sittings to meet electoral nomination deadlines.
