The Lands and Titles Court cases and mediation will be suspended starting next week Monday, all the way to March.
This was confirmed by the Minister of Justice and Courts Administration Matamua Vasati Pulufana in an interview with Radio Polynesia this afternoon.
This is in line with the Parliament’s Commission of Inquiry to investigate the discrepancies in the three controversial bills including the Lands and Titles Act, as it has been uncovered there are four different sets of copies which makes it difficult to determine the correct Act.
Matamua said they have to await the outcome of the Commission of Inquiry.
Prime Minister Fiame Naomi Mata’afa said in Parliament last month the amendments to the Constitution pertaining to the establishment of an Independent Lands and Titles Court does not address how the appointments are made, as well as salaries and benefits for the Judges of the LTC.
The Minister said the suspension was supported by the President of the LTC, Fepulea’i Atilla Ropati, however repeated efforts to get comments were unsuccessful as of press time.
The Minister said that it is the logical move, given there are a number of discrepancies in the Lands and Titles Act, which is required to carry out the functions of the LTC.
She also noted that a public notice will be released by the Ministry later on today for the public’s information.
