Samoa Moves to Establish First Law Degree Programme at National University

November 7, 2026

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Saturday 7 November 2026 | Apia Samoa | Samoan students could soon have the opportunity to study law and qualify as lawyers without leaving the country, as the Ministry of Justice and Courts Administration (MJCA) advances plans to establish a law degree programme at the National University of Samoa (NUS).

The initiative, spearheaded by MJCA in partnership with NUS, aims to strengthen legal education in Samoa while developing lawyers equipped to practise not only criminal and civil law, but also Samoa’s unique customary land and matai title laws.

MJCA Chief Executive Officer and Registrar of the Courts, Papali’i John Taimalelagi Afele, told Samoa Global News that the initiative supports the Government’s vision of expanding higher education opportunities for Samoan students at home, without the need to travel abroad.

“Tasi o manulauti ma le faamoemoega o le Malo, ina ia siitia tulaga i aoaoga mo le tatou Iunivesite Aoao o Samoa, ina ia maua avanoa o alo ma fanau a Samoa e aotauina ai i le tatou Iunivesite e aunoa ma le saili avanoa i isi Iunivesite i fafo atu o Samoa..”

Papali’i said a particularly important aspect of the proposed programme is the opportunity to develop legal expertise that reflects Samoa’s own judicial system, and uniquely Samoan customary laws and traditions.

“O Samoa e ese mai i isi atunuu o le lalolagi, e iai lana Faamasinoga e fitoitonu i Fanua Faaleaganuu ma Suafa Matai..”

He explained that the vision is to produce locally trained lawyers capable of practising across criminal, civil and customary law jurisdictions.

“O le faamoemoe o le faatuina o le polokalame mo le uluai taimi i le Iunivesite Aoao o Samoa, e mafai ai ona faauu alo ma fanau a Samoa e avea ma loia i totonu lava o Samoa, e le gata i mataupu tau Criminal and Civil, ae o mataupu tau Fanua ma Suafa ma le aganuu ma lona faaaogaina.”

The latest meeting between MJCA and NUS reaffirmed both institutions’ commitment to progressing the proposed programme.

A productive session between MJCA and NUS meet to advance plans for the establishment of a law degree programme at NUS, Nov 2026.

It was co-chaired by Papali’i and the Dean of the Faculty of Arts at NUS, Associate Professor Tuala Saui’a Louise Mataia Milo.

Also attending were Professor Silafau Sina Vaai, Professor Tuiloma Susana Taua’a, Associate Professor Tamasailau Suaalii, Leasiolagi Iemaima Gabriel, other NUS representatives and members of the MJCA Executive Team.

Professor Silafau Sina Vaai, Professor Tuiloma Susana Taua’a, Associate Professor Tamasailau Suaalii, Leasiolagi Iemaima Gabriel led the NUS delegation.

In a statement, the Ministry described the partnership as an investment in Samoa’s future legal practitioners and the next generation of leaders who will uphold the rule of law and strengthen access to justice.

The proposed programme would provide an alternative to overseas legal studies, while creating opportunities for Samoan students to pursue legal careers grounded in their country’s laws, culture and traditions.