The Ministry of Justice and Courts Administration (M.J.C.A.) held it's annual service to officially commence court procedures for the year on Thursday.

This was confirmed by the Acting Chief Executive Officer of the M.J.C.A. Aumua Roni Fereti in a statement released to the media on Saturday.

However, due to the new rules introduced as part of Government's COVID-19 Alert Level 2 response, the special annual service for Samoa's legal fraternity was conducted in a manner that would comply with the orders in place. 

The Ministry's annual prayer service is crucial, said Aumua, hence why they still pushed through with it as scheduled. 

"The purpose of the prayer service is to bring together our legal fraternity and our partners so we can unite in prayers and seek God's assistance to be upon us this year," said Aumua. 

There has been change in the way the annual prayer service was conducted this year, due to the measures imposed under the Government's COVID-19 Alert Level 2 according to Aumua. 

The service was held at Court Room Number 1 of the Supreme Court on Thursday and was attended only by the Judges and executive members of the Ministry. 

District Court Judge, Leota Raymond Schuster, who is also a lay preacher at the Samoa Protestant church, officiated at the annual prayer service last Thursday. Senior Supreme Court Judge, Justice Vui Clarence Nelson delivered the keynote address on behalf of members of the Judiciary, sending well wishes for Samoa. 

Aumua confirmed that social distancing was observed during the service as well as the wearing masks which is mandatory.

The Acting C.E.O. of the M.J.C.A. said court cases in the Supreme Court and District Court will commence on Monday while cases in the Land and Titles Court (L.T.C.) will begin on Monday 21 February. Cases called in the Tuasivi Courts will commence in March. 

Aumua, in an interview with the Samoa Observer last week, confirmed that the Ministry has also banned the congregating of people to support cases (tapuaiga) in the L.T.C. to ensure State of Emergency (S.O.E.) Order restrictions are complied with when court hearings resume. 

For matters where there are more than 30 people appearing for criminal mention, Aumua said this will be done virtually to ensure the S.O.E. Orders are complied with. 

For those currently being held in custody their lawyers will appear in Court but the defendants will join via zoom link from the Tanumalala prison. 

Meanwhile, members of the public are asked to wear their masks as it is mandatory as well as provide vaccination cards and exercise social distancing when attending the Court. 

There were matters called on Friday last week but it was for cases requiring bail for those in custody.  

The business hours for the Ministry of Justice has also been limited due to Alert Level 2 requirement of the opening hours from 9am to 3pm. 

Currently, there are four Supreme Court Judges currently out of jurisdiction including the Chief Justice, His Honour Satiu Simativa Perese who left for New Zealand before the Christmas holidays. 

There are three senior Supreme Court Judges in the country with the senior Justice, Vui Clarence Nelson the Acting Chief Justice. He is assisted by Justice Lesatele Rapi Vaai and Justice Niava Mata Tuatagaloa.

According to Aumua the four judges who are overseas were scheduled to return before the start of business work this year, but due to the border closure and changes to flight restrictions it has been deferred.