Cabinet approves salary increases for Judges

By Joyetter Feagaimaali’i-Luamanu 22 July 2018, 12:00AM

Cabinet has approved salary increases for Justices in the Supreme Court, Judges of the District Court and the Land and Titles Court.

This was confirmed in a F.K. (Fa’aiuga Kapeneta - Cabinet Decision) (18) 17, which also highlights that Prime Minister Tuilaepa Sa’ilele Malielegaoi’s salary is slashed from $187,500 to $182,070 as recommended by a Tribunal. 

In April, the Minister of Justice and Courts Administration, Fa’aolesa Katopau Ainu’u proposed a salary raise for the Judges that would have cost close to a million tala. 

However, Cabinet has only approved a small increase for all Judges in the Supreme Court, District Court and the Lands and Titles. 

According to the F.K. (18) 17, the Cabinet approved a $326 increase for the Chief Justice’s salary of $164,944 so that it is now $165,270.

A Senior Supreme Court Justice’s salary has been increased from $131,325 to $136,500. Other Supreme Court Justices have been given a salary raise from $126,072 to $131,250.

For a Senior District Court Judge, their salary has been raised from $120,819 to $126,000.

Other District Court Judges have received an increase from $115,566 to $120,750. 

The President of the Land and Titles salary will increase from $126,072 to $131,250. The six Deputy President of L.T.C. who were making $84,084 will receive a salary boost of $10,416 each, while the 11 Judges who were making $ 63,036 each will receive a boost of $10,464. 

According to the F.K., the request to increase allowance for Appellate Court Judges will have to be resubmitted with proposed allowance by the M.J.C.A. 

According to the proposal from the Minister, it sought a salary of $175,000 for the Chief Justice. This was not granted. Other proposed increases, which were also not granted, include Deputy Chief Justice $131,325 to $160,000; Supreme Court Judge $126,072 to $152,640; Senior District Court Judge $120,819 to $146,076;  District Court Judge $115,566 to $140,379; President of L.T.C. $126,072 to $155,000; Deputy President L.T.C. from $84,048 to $127,752; Senior L.T.C. Judge proposed salary of $92,598 and L.T.C. Judge of $63,036 to $81,946. 

The proposal would have cost the Government $936,175.

By Joyetter Feagaimaali’i-Luamanu 22 July 2018, 12:00AM
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