The Legal Division was created under the organisational restructuring of the Ministry that was approved by Cabinet in 2017/2018. It is responsible for overall strategic legal policy advice and planning in respect to Samoa’s foreign policy, trade policy, foreign representation, relations with regional and international organizations, protocol services and support to resident and non-resident diplomatic missions including international organizations based in Apia and implementation policy framework in relation to all areas under the Ministry’s jurisdiction. In particular to:
- Review and provide quality legal advice to Government on Samoa’s position on issues involving international and regional relations with other states;
- Provide legal guidance and advice on Samoa’s obligations and position in international and regional conventions, treaties and declarations and trade negotiations;
- Identify critical legal concerns for policy development focusing on the preparation of guidelines and platforms on global and regional issues of importance to Samoa
- Provide legal advice and support on all aspects of the Ministry’s work and operations including the overseas missions work responsibilities
- Provide legal advice on areas of contract management the Ministry is involved in
- Provide legal advice on the application of the Diplomatic Privileges and Immunities Act 1978.
For technical/operational management and advice, the Legal Division is also responsible for providing legal advice and support in relation to: accession to/ratification of international treaties and conventions and to monitor the implementation of treaty obligations and compliance; trade agreements and legal scrubbing or verification of draft agreements; representation overseas; the application of scholarship policies; and drafting and finalizing of contracts of employment or services for the purposes of the Ministry.
