The recruitment of a new Samoa Law Reform Commission executive director has been halted, pending a Public Service Commission-led review of the commission's structure.

The organisational review was confirmed by the Minister for Justice and Courts Administration, Matamua Vasati Pulufana, in response to questions from this newspaper on Wednesday. 

She said the P.S.C. has been doing a review of the structure of the S.L.R.C. which has delayed the progress of appointing a new executive director for the commission. 

"The last update I received was that they are now conducting Phase 2 of the review which looks at reviewing the structure within the Samoa Law Reform and its functions," Matamua said. "So the progress of appointing a new executive director has been halted until the review is completed."

Matamua also confirmed that the three applications that they received for the vacant position when it was first advertised are still relevant and will still be considered when the recruitment process recommences. 

"At this stage, we are not considering re-advertising the position. But we are waiting for the review to be completed and the P.S.C. to make progress on the recruitment process."

The top job at the S.L.R.C. has been vacant for more than a year now after the last executive director resigned from office in September last year. 

In a previous interview with this newspaper, Matamua confirmed that the three applications they received were from Samoa and one from out of Samoa. 

In the interim period, the commission's Assistant Executive Director, Leauanae Sheliza Tapuai has been acting in the position since the former executive director made her exit. 

The former executive director, Teleiai Dr. Lalotoa Mulitalo-Seumanutafa was the third appointee to get the position since the commission's establishment in 2008, following Tafaoimalo Leilani Tuala–Warren and Leota Theresa Potoi. Teleiai was first appointed in 2016 and during her six-year appointment, she oversaw 15 projects and over 40 ad hoc projects.

The core function of the commission is the review, reform and development of laws of Samoa that promote Samoan customs and traditions and enhance the social, cultural, economic, and commercial development of Samoa.