Fepulea'i Attila Ropati

Fepulea'i Attila Ropati (born 1968)[1] is President of the Land and Titles Court of Samoa.

Fepulea'i Attila Ropati
President of the Land and Titles Court of Samoa
Assumed office
1 August 2016
Nominated byTuilaepa Aiono Sailele Malielegaoi
Appointed byTui Atua Tupua Tamasese Efi
Preceded byTuala Tagaloa Sale Kerslake
Personal details
Alma materUniversity of the South Pacific
University of Tasmania

Fepulea'i is from the village of Saleaula.[2] He was educated at the University of the South Pacific, University of New England and the University of Tasmania.[2] He has previously worked as a lawyer, for the Samoa Shipping Corporation and for the Land and Titles Court. From 2008 to 2016 he was Clerk of the Legislative Assembly of Samoa.[1] In July 2016 he was appointed as President of the Land and Titles Court,[2] and he was sworn in on 1 August 2016.[1]

Controversy

In December 2017 Fepulea'i smashed a bottle on the head of a security guard at an end of year party. In March 2018 he took leave from his position as President of the court until criminal charges were resolved.[3][4] He subsequently pleased guilty to a charge of actual bodily harm, and was discharged without conviction.[5][6] Following an appeal from the Attorney-General, a re-trial was ordered,[7][8] and in February 2019 Fepulea'i was convicted of intentionally causing bodily harm and fined US$3,500.[9] In April 2019 he resigned from office,[10] then changed his mind.[11] He was subsequently suspended by the Judicial Services Commission,[12] which recommended he be removed from office. A motion to terminate his position was put before the Legislative Assembly of Samoa, but failed to pass by the required two-thirds majority.[13] Then Deputy-Prime Minister Fiamē Naomi Mataʻafa spoke strongly for his removal.[14]

In August 2021 Fepulea'i and the entire Lands and Titles Court boycotted the welcome ceremony for the newly-appointed Minister of Justice.[15]

References
  1. Lanuola Tusani Tupufia (2 August 2016). "New President takes his oath". Samoa Observer. Retrieved 18 August 2021.
  2. "News from Cabinet, 5 July 2016". Government of Samoa. 5 July 2016. Retrieved 18 August 2021.
  3. Joyetter Feagaimaali’i-Luamanu (5 March 2018). "Court President takes "special leave"". Samoa Observer. Retrieved 18 August 2021.
  4. "Samoa President of Lands and Titles court takes leave". RNZ. 6 March 2018. Retrieved 18 August 2021.
  5. Joyetter Feagaimaali’i-Luamanu (11 May 2018). "Fepulea'i discharged without conviction". Samoa Observer. Retrieved 18 August 2021.
  6. "Samoa court president is discharged but AG plans appeal". RNZ. 12 May 2018. Retrieved 18 August 2021.
  7. "Samoa Supreme Court orders Fepulea'i re-trial". Samoa News. 3 November 2018. Retrieved 18 August 2021.
  8. "Samoa Supreme Court orders Fepulea'i re-trial". RNZ. 5 November 2018. Retrieved 18 August 2021.
  9. "Samoa's Lands and Titles Court President convicted". RNZ. 16 April 2019. Retrieved 18 August 2021.
  10. "Convicted Samoa judge resigns". RNZ. 24 April 2019. Retrieved 18 August 2021.
  11. "Convicted Samoa court president changes mind over resignation". RNZ. 1 May 2019. Retrieved 18 August 2021.
  12. "Samoa Judiciary Commission suspends judge". RNZ. 9 May 2019. Retrieved 18 August 2021.
  13. "Parliament votes to reinstate convicted court president". Talanei. 2 July 2019. Retrieved 18 August 2021.
  14. Joyetter Feagaimaali'i. "President reinstated by Parliament". Samoa Observer. Retrieved 18 August 2021.
  15. Matai'a Lanuola Tusani T - Ah Tong (18 August 2021). "L.T.C. President, Judges absent from welcome". Samoa Observer. Retrieved 18 August 2021.
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