NEW CHIEF JUSTICE SWEARING IN CEREMONY: 12TH JUNE 2020- HEAD OF STATE’S OFFICIAL RESIDENT VAILELE.
Chief Justice, Satiu Leatigagaeono Miti Simativa Perese is the third Samoan to be appointed as Chief Justice since our Independence in 1962.
Vaovasamanaia Filipo was the first Chief Justice from 1983-1986.
Between,1986 and 1992, Trevor Maxwell and Anthony John Ryan held the post and Patu Tiavaasue Falefatu Sapolu, served in office from 1992 until 2019.
Satiu was admitted to the bar in Samoa in 1999, and has over 30 years of experience as a lawyer in the Crown Law Office in Wellington, New Zealand and as the Staff Solicitor and Associate in Auckland.
He graduated with LLB from Victoria University of Wellington in 1989, and was conferred with LLM with Honours from Columbia University in New York in 1996. He was also awarded a Harkness Fellowship in 1995 from the Commonwealth Fund in New York, in recognition of his leadership.
Satiu is 58 years old. He was born in Magiagi and began his education at Magiagi Primary School before furthering his studies in New Zealand where he continued his college and tertiary education.
He is the son of Satiu Fea Leasuasu Perese of Salimu, Fagaloa and his mother is Ulufafo Samau of Tanugamanono.
