Samoa Hosts Inaugural Pasefika Lawyers Collective Conference

By Lagi Keresoma

APIA, SAMOA – 26 JULY 2023: Samoa is hosting a three days Pasefika Lawyers Collective Conference on the theme Diversity: Valuing Pasefika Cultural Lens in Law & the Legal Profession.”

The President of the Samoa Law Society Alex Su’a said the conference is bringing together people with skills in the legal profession to share their knowledge and experience with other countries and upcoming young lawyers.

He commended the Samoan lawyers who reside overseas for taking time to be part of the conference and share their experience of the system they are using with their local counterparts.

“The conference is also looking at how other countries methods of dealing successfully in dealing with legal matters and areas which they failed and this conference will explore methods and tactics taken by countries in dealing with their matters,” said Su’a.

Mediation
One of the areas which participants have commended Samoa on is the mediation process in dealing with legal challenges.

“Seventy percent of matters filed in Court have been successfully dealt with in mediation and 30% ended up in Court, and such process has drawn interest from several participants,” said Su’a.

He said although mediation is a long standing process in the Samoan culture, it was never instilled in the legal system until a few years back.

“The emphasis now is on mediation,” he said.

Delegates attending the three day inaugural Pasefika Lawyers Collective Conference in Samoa.

Guest speakers
Su’a is pleased with the calibre of guest speakers who will speak and share their knowledge and experiences at the conference.

The speakers include judicial officers, jurists, legal academics and senior judges and lawyers.

Some of the speakers include Samoa’s Chief Justice – Satiu Simativa Perese, Professor of Law from Australia – Nadja Alexander, Justice Philip of Queensland Court of Appeal, Lesatele Rapi Vaai – President of the Samoa Land & Titles Court, Muliagasisila Dr. Faafetai Fa’aleava – a Psychologist from the California Department of Corrections, Justice Niava Mata Tuatagaloa and Attorney General Su’a Hellene Wallwork-Lamb to name a few.

The conference was officially opened today with a welcome Ava ceremony.