Sili shares her Journey ahead of Swearing-In Ceremony as Samoa’s Newest District Court Judge

2026-01-25 - 21:09

Sili Elizabeth Chan-Tung Peters will be sworn in this week as the newest District Court Judge of Samoa following her appointment by the Head of State on advice of the Judicial Service Commission. Chief Executive Officer of the Ministry of Justice & Courts Administration, and Registrar of Samoa’s Supreme Court, Papalii John Taimalelagi Afele, confirmed this is a new appointment for the District Court. Sili has served in Private Practice both in Samoa and New Zealand and brings over 36 years experience to the District Court. In an exclusive interview with Samoa Global News, Samoa’s fifth woman to be appointed Judge shares her journey with us. “I have had a very challenging and the most difficult journey in life, but I remained faithful in the Lord, and kept trusting in Him to direct my path..” “He has blessed me with a loving husband, four beautiful daughters, and two most adorable grandchildren.” Sili shared scripture that has helped her to remain resilient through life’s challenges. “1 Corinthinans 1:26 and Isaiah 58:11 are two of my favourite Bible verses I would go to whenever I felt down or faced unbearable situations during my life journey and in my career. Isaiah 58:11 NIV Sili lost her mom, Asopogisa Pamata Tauati Chan Tung almost 30 years ago on the 21st of October 1997 after a prolonged illness. Her journey since then has prioritised the support and care for her father, Tavita Chan Tung, who is one of Samoa’s longest serving businessmen. “Mom was never well since my Form 1 year in 1978, and most of my movements in terms of further studies, always worked around her situation and care..” Sili’s maternal grandparents were faifeau Metotisi and her title from Salelologa, is from her late mom’s side of the family. Sili testifies of the Lord’s blessings for taking care of one’s parents... “ua ou talitonu i le moni o fa’amanuiaga a Le Atua mō le tausi matua..” Sili graduated from La Trobe University in 1989 and when she returned to Samoa, the scholarships committee assigned her to the Public Trust Office. “I was under the supervision of Public Trustee, Anae Anthony Pereira, after graduating from University... that was my first job in Samoa,” Sili recalls. Since then, Sili has had an illustrious career serving Samoa in various roles, including as Lecturer in Contract Law with Samoa Polytech when they first launched the Diploma of Business in the early 90s. Sili worked as Deputy Registrar of Samoa’s Offshore Companies Office, before it became what we now know as SIFA (Samoa International Finance Authority). Samoa’s leading provider of ICT Solutions. Sili recalls with emotion having worked under then Offshore Companies Registrar, the late Alosamoa Erna Vaai-Aiono. “I have blessed with many great mentors over the years..” Sili returned to the Public Trust Office exactly 30 years later in 2019, as a Member of its Board of Trustees. She has also served on the Boards of the Samoa Housing Corporation, and the Samoa Institute of Directors. Visit our website today and invest in your future. In New Zealand Sili worked with Mike Lucas Law and also with Petaia Lawyers in Auckland. In Samoa, Sili worked with Tufuga Law Firm and Brunt Lawyers before setting up her own firm, Chan Tung Peters Law. Sili is the fifth woman to be appointed as a Judge in Samoa. She follows the trailblazing path set by Justice Leutele Mata Keli Tuatagaloa, Justice Tafaoimalo Leilani Tuala-Warren, Judge Alalatoa Rosella Papalii-Schwartz and Judge Talasa Atoa-Saaga. The District Court of Samoa is headed by Senior District Court Judge Talasa Atoa Saaga, and three judges. Judge Alalatoa Rosella Papalii, Judge Leota Raymond Schuster and Judge Loau Donald Kerslake who is still serving as a temporary Supreme Court Justice. “I am honoured and blessed by this calling. I thank God for his devine appointment,” shares Sili Elizabeth Chan Tung Peters. “I continue to rely on the Lord for His wisdom and strength to serve Samoa to the best of my ability..” A special swearing-in ceremony for Samoa’s newest judge will be held this week on Tuesday 27th January 2026.