Martha Taumata Faavae
The new judges for the Lands and Titles Court sworn in last week were told to read as many times as it takes, court case submissions put before them.
Read them until you understand the President of the Land and Titles Court Fepuleai Atila Ropati emphasised in his address at the swearing in of the new members of the bench.
He explained that many of the submissions would require reading many times before they could be understood.
“ Many of the accounts are difficult to understand despite reading them repeatedly, but you must continue to read,” Fepulea’i pointed out.
“Other submissions are discouraging but you must nevertheless read them. There is no other way to understand these submissions but by continual reading only.”
The three newly appointed judges sworn in last Thursday are Iuli Auga Sefo, Tuilagi Saipele Esera and Tuioti Sakaria Taituave.
Also emphasised to the judges is the importance of being independent and the price of this would be staying away from events they used to frequent and living a narrow life.
Honesty is also of utmost important in their job and they must remember God at all times for He empowers them Fepuleai said.
The 62 year old Tuilagi Saipele of Vaimoso said that his appointment as a judge is from God.
Tuioti Sakaria feels humbled with being sworn in as a judge and knows it is a challenging job.
The three judges make up 25 of the judges presiding in the Land and Titles Court.
The Prime Minister Tuilaepa Sailele Malielegaoi and other members of the HRPP Party joined families and friends at the swearing in.