The Prime Minister and the Attorney General’s Office have been given a final adjournment to file their response to a lawsuit lodged by the former Attorney General in relation to her sacking. 

The former Attorney General, Savalenoa Mareva Betham is suing the Prime Minister, Fiame Naomi Mata’afa and her former office for what she alleged as her unjustified dismissal by the Prime Minister. 

Savalenoa who was represented by QC Dr. Rodney Harrison had their claim called before the Supreme Court this week. 

Dr. Harrison reminded the Court that the respondents in the proceedings were given a final adjournment to file their response to discovery two weeks ago and this has not been done. 

He also described this as an “excessive delay” by the respondents and asked the Court to have the counsel representing the respondents debarred from proceedings if there is any more delays. 

Veteran lawyer, Taulapapa Brenda Heather-Latu who is acting for Fiame and the Attorney General's Office, told the Court the affidavit had been filed on Monday afternoon and she had been unable to speak with Prime Minister in the last two weeks but will do so in coming weeks. 

Supreme Court Justice, Tafaoimalo Leilani Tuala-Warren noted the progress in the matter, and ordered the substantive response to the motions before the Court to be filed within the next two weeks and by the next mention on 13 March 2023 for a hearing date should be set. 

Savalenoa filed two motions in the Court and is seeking a total of $650,000 in damages and compensation. 

The first motion is a statement of claim over what she says is her unjustified dismissal and secondly a motion was filed for judicial review of the decision that led to her dismissal. 

According to an excerpt of the claim, the former Attorney General is seeking $300,000 in damages which comprises $241,707 of 101 weeks gross salary (@$124,443.57 per annum), and unpaid leave entitlement worth $200,000 by way of general damages or compensation for damage to reputation, humiliation and emotional distress. An additional $150,000 is sought by way of aggravated and punitive damages. 

On 2 September 2021 Prime Minister Fiame announced she had asked the Head of State to have the then suspended Attorney General dismissed entirely from her role effective immediately. 

She outlined the reasons behind her decision to dismiss Savalenoa – who was only appointed to the role by the former Administration just over a year before her sacking.

Fiame noted she wrote to Savalenoa informing her she did not have confidence in her ability to discharge the functions of the Office of the Attorney General. 

She added this followed the Court proceedings where Savalenoa was cited for contempt of Court and other events that followed the April 2021 General Election. 

Savalenoa was acquitted following the contempt of Court proceedings.