First Female Deputy President of the Lands & Titles Court Takes Office

By Lagi Keresoma/

Apia, SAMOA – 23 April 2026: The first woman to be appointed as Deputy President of the Lands and Titles Court, Siliga Lauano Diana Roma is humbled by the appointment.

Siliga Roma took the Oath of Office this morning infront of colleagues of the legal fraternity, family and friends as not only the first woman but the youngest to be appointed to the Lands and Titles High Court position.

“Maybe this is my time and the time for women, but it is not something that should make one prideful but to be thankful and humbled by the calling and to serve with humility and honesty,” said Siliga.

She was emotional as she acknowledged the President of the Lands & Titles Court – Lesatele Rapi Vaai, LTC Commission, Samoa Law Society (SLS) her late father, family and friends for their guidance and support.

The President of the Samoa Law Society, Fiona Ey and Jasmina Faleafaga on behalf of the Attorney General, delivered encouraging and supportive messages for the new Deputy President.

Inexperience & Significance of the Appointment
Siliga is aware that the President and LTC Commission decision was not easy, especially that there are others she believes are more senior and more qualified than her.

In a light moment, she said because she does not yet have grey hair on her head, she thought she was not mature enough for the position.

The new Deputy President of the Lands and Titles Court, Siliga Lauano Diane Roma takes her seat next to the President of the Court Lesatele Rapi with Deputy President Afamasaga Michael Soonalole and other court judges as the President of the Law Society Fiona Ey delivers her speech. 

However, the President of the Samoa Law Society, Fiona Ey emphasized that Siliga has the qualities required for such a position.

“This role requires knowledge, resilience, fairness and courtesy and the Deputy President Roma has these qualities in abundance. She will bring these attributes to her work and all who appear before her,” said Ey.

As the Deputy President of LTC, Siliga will have significant responsibilities, including hearing appeals and reviewing decisions of the Land and Titles First Court.

She commends the LTC President’s vision to appoint more women to the bench and to bring important depth and representation to the Court’s work.

Siliga will serve alongside President, Lesatele Rapi Vaai and Deputy President Afamasaga Michael Soonalole.

Members of the Judiciary from left, District Court Senior Judge Talasa Saaga Atoa, Judge Leota Raymond Schuster, Judge Papalii Alalatoa Rosela Papalii, Justice Loau Donald Kerslake, Justice Fepuleai Ameperosa Roma, Lands and Titles Court Deputy President Siliga Lauano Diane Roma, Samoa Law Society President Fiona Ey, Justice Leiataualesa Daryl Clarke and Jasmina Faleafaga of the Attorney General’s Office.

The significance of the appointment is the critical role of Lands and Titles Court to the community where Samoans turn for resolution of disputes about those most sacred of measina – fanua ma suafa – their lands and titles.

“This esteemed Court is where families seek resolution of disputes over their customary land and chiefly titles, villages look to uphold order and responsibility and justice is grounded in fa’a Samoa and exercised with wisdom and fairness,” said Ey.

She said the appointment carries a profound responsibility and a significant opportunity to strengthen public trust in our justice system that demands sound judgement, impartiality and humility.

“These qualities must stand alongside a deep understanding of Samoan custom and law,” she said.

“The oath you took today is a solemn commitment to our people that justice will be administered, without fear or favour, free from improper influence, with fairness to all who appear before the Court and with unwavering respect for the Constitution and the Fa’a Samoa,” said Ey.

Supreme Court Justice Fepuleai Ameperosa Roma and Lands and Titles Court Deputy President Siliga Lauano Diana Roma after the swearing in ceremony.

First husband & wife team on the bench
The Lands and Titles Court President invited Siliga to take her seat next to him on the bench after the swearing –in ceremony. He then acknowledged the appointment and talked about history being made with the appointment of the first female Deputy President.

“It is also the first time a husband and wife serve as judges of the Court,” said Lesatele

Siliga’s husband is Supreme Court Justice, Fepuleai Ameperosa Roma.

She said she never thought she would end up on the Judiciary bench; let alone serving with her husband as a Supreme Court Judge.

“I accept the appointment as my calling, and I do so with humility,” she said.

Service
Siliga was educated at Malifa, Samoa College then entered the University of the South Pacific majoring in Law.

She holds a Bachelor of Laws and Bachelor of Arts and a Professional Diploma in Legal Practice from USP.

She was admitted as a Barrister & Solicitor of the Supreme Court of Samoa in 2013 and has had a distinguished legal career for over 13 years.

This followed Siliga’s government service through the Ministry of Health and the Ministry of Women, as well as service to the international community through the United Nations office in Samoa.

She started her legal career as an associate with the firm of Fepuleai and Roma, later Fepuleai Law then opened her own firm Roma Law in 2018 where she has worked as Principal for the past 8 years.

She has served as a member of the Samoa Law Society Council and has played a key role fostering unity and wellbeing of members of the legal profession.