It was a case of the mountain coming to Mohammed, under a mango tree.

The Land and Titles Court convened this week Thursday from an extraordinary location - under a mango tree. 

The unusual setting was to allow for a wheelchair-bound appellant to participate in court proceedings, presided over by  the President of the Land and Titles Court, Fepuleai Atilla Ropati.

Judge Fepuleai ordered the court Registrar and staff to shift proceedings under the mango tree. This was after he was informed by involved parties that the wheelchair bound appellant was unable to access the court. 

There is currently a ramp at the front entrance of the court house in Mulinu’u that allows those with wheelchair to access the building.  

In an interview with the Ministry of Justice and Courts Administration, Chief Executive Officer, Moliei Simi Vaai said the parties involved consented to the new setting. 

She said as far as she is aware this would the first proceeding being presided from under the mango tree due to one of the parties being unable to access the court. 

The C.E.O. explained that the parties involved in the L.T.C. matter insisted to continue the proceeding without any further delays. 

She added the Ministry would have arranged for an alternative venue to hear the case but the parties did not mind the shades under the mango tree where the appellant was able to participate. 

“The family wanted the matter to be done right there and then,” she said. 

“That is the flexibility of the court and under the law it does not differentiate but it is wherever the judge directs to hear cases.”

The unusual court proceeding on Thursday took some members of the public by surprise and acknowledged the flexibility of the court to accommodate everyone's needs. 

According to the C.E.O. the incident has prompted the Ministry to look into an alternative ramp that can accommodate access for people with disabilities. 

She said she was informed that the wheelchair bound appellant was able to attend other court proceedings in the past. 

However, she said, it was because he was transported in a higher truck that made it difficult for him this time. 

In addition, Ms. Vaai said that one of the lifts at the courthouse is in operation to assist those who are unable to access the top floor of the building via stairwell.