Patu Tiava'asu'e Falefatu Sapolu

Patu Tiava'asu'e Falefatu Sapolu (born 1940 or 1941) is a Samoan lawyer and judge. He was Chief Justice of Samoa from 1992 to 2019.

Sapolu is from Vaiala.[1] He was educated at Marist Mulivai and at St. Joseph's College in Samoa.[2] He attended the University of Otago and University of Auckland in New Zealand on a government scholarship, graduating with a Bachelor of Laws in 1972.[2] He subsequently worked at the Attorney-General's office, as a temporary magistrate, and as a Court Registrar.[2] In 1988 he was appointed Attorney-General of Samoa.

In 1991 he was appointed Acting Chief Justice of Samoa. The position was made permanent, and he was sworn in on 20 July 1992.[2] As Chief Justice he oversaw the construction of a new court house, the raising of the judicial retirement age from 62 to 68, and the establishment of specialist courts such as the Family Court and Coroners Court.[2]

In 2010 Sapolu was the target of a failed assassination plot, along with Prime Minister Tuilaepa Aiono Sailele Malielegaoi.[3] He was the target of further threats in 2018.[4]

Sapolu retired on 23 April 2019.[5] He was replaced in March 2020 by Satiu Simativa Perese.[6] Following his retirement he became a part-time lecturer in lands and titles law at the National University of Samoa.[7]

On 29 September 2020 Sapolu was evacuated to New Zealand for medical treatment.[8]

References
  1. Joyetter Feagaimaali'i (22 April 2019). "Chief Justice Patu exits with message to peers". Samoa Observer. Retrieved 13 June 2020.
  2. Joyetter Feagaimaali'i (31 December 2019). "2019 People of the Year: Patu Tiava'asu'e Falefatu Sapolu". Samoa Observer. Retrieved 13 June 2020.
  3. Michael Field (6 December 2010). "Samoan PM assassination plot investigated". Stuff. Retrieved 13 June 2020.
  4. "Security increased for Samoa's Chief Justice after threat". Fiji Times. 1 December 2018. Retrieved 13 June 2020.
  5. "Samoa awaits appointment of new Chief Justice". RNZ. 23 April 2019. Retrieved 13 June 2020.
  6. Joyetter Feagaimaali'i (20 March 2020). "Satiu Simativa Perese is Samoa's new Chief Justice". Samoa Observer. Retrieved 13 June 2020.
  7. "The National University of Samoa has announced the appointment of Patu Tiava'asu'e Sapolu to teach Law at Papaigalagala". SBS. 19 February 2020. Retrieved 13 June 2020.
  8. James Robertson (29 September 2020). "Chief Justice evacuated for medical treatment". Samoa Observer. Retrieved 29 September 2020.
Political offices
Preceded by
Anthony John Ryan		 Chief Justice of Samoa
1992-2019		 Succeeded by
Satiu Simativa Perese


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