In a move to improve access to justice for people who cannot afford a lawyer, the Government has allocated $600,000 tala for legal aid in the 2026/2027 financial year, with the aim of increasing funding to $1 million by year’s end.
Ministry of Justice and Courts Administration Chief Executive Officer Papalii John Taimalelagi Afele said the Ministry receives between 700 and 1,000 applications annually, but limited funding in the past has meant many requests could not be approved.
“The allocated budget for Legal Aid in Samoa used to be $50,000 and then $100,000 and in another year $150,000 and then $200,000..” said Papalii.
The historical allocations remained insufficient to meet demand.
Under the FAST Government, however, Papalii confirms the increasing demand had prompted an allocation of $600,000 tala for legal aid in the 2026/2027 financial year.
Fuafuaga Mamao e limataitaia ai galuega ma auaunaga a le Matagaluega o Faamasinoga ma Mataupu tau Faamasinoga. Ata Pu’eina: Mālō o Samoa [Leota Marc Membrere].Papalii said the Government aims to increase that funding to $1 million tala by the next financial year.
“A tele a talosaga, e i le vā o le 700 i le 1,000 talosaga legal aid, ae o le tele foi o nā talosaga, e le taliaina ona e fua i le budget i lena taimi..
“Ae o lea lā ua increase le tatou budget ma o le a vaavaai foi le Matagaluega ia aua nei faaaoga seseina ina,” he said.
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With the larger budget, the Ministry would also monitor the programme to prevent misuse, Papalii reiterated.
“O lea la ua siitia le fesoasoani a le Malo.. O le taimi nei ua $600,000 a’o loo iai le faamoemoe e maea ane lenei tausaga faaletupe ua oo atu i le $1miliona le fesoasoani faaletulafono lea ua tuuina mai e le Malo mo ē e lē gafatia ona totogi ni loia.”
Papalii said legal aid has also been extended to victims of domestic violence, including women and children who cannot afford legal assistance.
“O lea foi ua faalautele atu le fesoasoani faatulafono lea i victims o sauaga i totonu o aiga e pei o tina, tamaitai, o fanau e aafia i sauaga i totonu o aiga…”
District Court matters, previously excluded from legal aid, are now also eligible, he said.
“O tausaga ua mavae e le agavaa mataupu a le Faamasinoga Faaitumalo i le Legal Aid, ae o le taimi nei lā, o lea ua agavaa, o le a lava le ituaiga moliaga e molia ai le tagata Samoa, ma lē gafatia ona ia totogi se loia e tula’i mo ia, o lea la ua iai le fesoasoani,” he said.
The Government also intends to extend assistance to Land and Titles matters at a later stage.
Papalii highlighted judicial review proceedings brought before the Supreme Court, where applicants need a lawyer to present their case.
“O lea foi ua iai le faamoemoe a le Malo e faalautele atu le fesoasoani lea i le Faamasinoga o Fanua ma Suafa..
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“Manatua foi o lea ua mafai i mataupu ia tau Iloiloga Faafaamasinoga poo Judicial Review e ave la i luga o le Faamasinoga Maualuga ma e oo loa le mataupu i luga o iina, e moomia ai le loia e tulai e tauave le mataupu..
“O se taimi mulimuli ane ona faalautele atu lea o le fesoasoani i le mamalu o le atunuu e iai mataupu faapea.”
Tuiloma Lemalu Sina Retzlaff is a Certified Accountant and Accredited Mediator by profession. She founded Pacific Global Solutions, a consultancy firm specialising in Governance, Strategy, Team Capability and Professional Development. She has over 20 years experience in Governance having served on the Boards of SQA, CBS, NUS, SBH, Samoa Housing, Teen Challenge and Samoa Rugby Union. She is the author of short story; Unborn Child.
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