The Accredited Mediators of Samoa Association (A.M.S.A) ended last week with an evening of joy and laughter as they shared about mediation with friends and guests who gathered for the occasion.
President of the A.M.S.A and lawyer, Maiava Visekota Peteru, was the host of the evening due to the absence of the Chief Justice, His Honour Patu Tiava’asu’e Falefatu Sapolu.
“The event this evening is to celebrate the public awareness campaign that we’ve done just to let people know what mediation is about,” said Maiava.
“Mediation is an alternative dispute resolution process and we have found the term ‘tufuga’ or ‘fa’atofalaiga’ which expresses the role of mediators.
“They do not give advice instead they facilitate a process to get yourself and your opponent to talk about your dispute and then come to an agreement yourself.”
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According to Maiava, they now have 42 trained mediators available to act as a go- between in private disputes.
“By law, the judge can refer a claim to mediation if it is a matter that could be resolved by the two parties coming together and discussing it,” she said.
“So it’s a very empowering process.
“It’s important because it gives the power back to people to control negotiations and decide themselves on the resolution”.
She said that mediation in Samoa now has a very high percentage of success.
“Almost all cases are referred to mediation now and we’ve had a lot of successful cases”, she said.
Nynette Sass, the Secretary General for A.M.S.A, said they had invited members of the Samoa Law Society, members of the Professional bodies, employers and some representatives from different Ministries who deal with the Labour issues.
“Tonight really is the culmination of the project because when the project is officially finished next Monday then Samoa is on its own,” she said.
She said that mediation offers more advantages to assist people when they come to court.
“The wonderful thing about mediation is that it saves time and is a lot cheaper than going into litigation,” she said.
“We look forward to our people here taking full advantage of the mediation services”.
At the moment, the Ministry of Justice and A.M.S.A will be working close together to continue mediation in Samoa.
“Remember mediate don’t litigate,” said Maiava.
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