Apia, Samoa – 24 July 2025: District Court Judge, Loau Leafa Donald Aukusitino Kerslake has been appointed an Acting Judge of the Supreme Court of Samoa and is being sworn in this morning.

The Warrant of Appointment was signed by the Head of State on 17 July 2025, on the advice of the Judicial Service Commission and is pursuant to Article 69(1) of the Constitution of the Independent State of Samoa.

The appointment is on a temporary basis to assist with the workload of the Supreme Court, to ensure sufficient judicial capacity for the hearing of electoral matters arising from the 2025 general elections on the 29 August 2025.

Acting Justice Kerslake was welcomed by the Chief Justice, Satiu Simativa Perese to the Supreme Court bench.

Loau was admitted as a Barrister and Solicitor of the Supreme Court of Samoa in 2002.

He was a practicing lawyer for over 17 years and has had a varied legal career working in the Public Sector, primarily with the Office of the Attorney General in Samoa and later on as an Associate and then Law Partner, in the Private Sector.

At the time of his appointment, he has been a District Court Judge since January 2020.

In this capacity, he is also the Principal Youth Court Judge for the Youth Court of Samoa, working to ensure a fair and just process for young people in accordance with the Young Offenders Act 2007.

He has also presided over matters in the Family Court, Coroner’s Court as well as the Land and Titles Court.