Artika is a LLB and B.com graduate of the University of Canterbury, New Zealand and is experienced in all aspects of commercial law practice in Fiji. In January 2017 Artika accepted an invitation to become a partner of the firm and her particular areas of practice and expertise include Intellectual Property Law in the South Pacific region, Commercial Law, Property Law and Taxation. Artika is also the firm’s senior practitioner for all commercial property matters which she handles with skill, efficiency and an attention to detail and mentors other lawyers within the firm.

Chambers Asia-Pacific 2016 explains that Artika: ‘leads the firm's IP practice, servicing the regional needs of international companies and law firms, as well as large Fijian organisations. She is recommended as "very efficient, very timely and very professional," and for "always providing excellent client service."

Artika is highly regarded internationally, and is particularly known for her thorough legal work, professional attitude and within the firm for her patience in mentoring others. Under her dedicated stewardship the firm’s IP division known as the Pacific Islands Intellectual Property Services (PIIPS) has become a premier IP Service provider out of the Pacific region.

Artika’s professional career has had many highlights, in May 2011 Artika was selected by the United States Department of State under its International Leadership Program to attend training for Protection of Intellectual Property Rights in the United States. Artika gained knowledge of IP related issues faced today and new ways of protection of IP rights of owners which has assisted her in advising clients to obtained commercial advantages and protections through their IP.

Artika is happy to assist in relation to any Intellectual Property matter or Commercial property matter: artika@sas.com.fj

Aminiasi has been with our firm from February 2008 and took up an invitation to join the partnership from January 2017.  

Aminiasi has taken a leadership role in our specialist Intellectual Property team known as the Pacific Islands Intellectual Property Services or PIIPS for short. While he has specialised in Intellectual Property law he has also taken a leadership role in relation to our Commercial Litigation team where he regularly represents clients at all levels of the Fiji court system in employment disputes and insurance cases.

His work, personality and commitment to client care have seen him develop into a well-liked and reputable lawyer capable of meeting with local and international clients and meeting the high service delivery standards of the firm.

Aminiasi has obtained significant experience in the area of Intellectual Property Laws in Fiji and the South Pacific Region. He manages large trademark portfolios for clients and advises clients on how to secure commercial advantages and protection of their IP rights in Fiji and the South Pacific context.

Aminiasi is a member of the International Trade Marks Associations, a council member of the Fiji Law Society, and has sat as a Board member of the Fiji Boxing Commission. Aminiasi was also part of the review board that was tasked with the review of Fiji’s Trade Mark Act.

In his spare time Aminiasi is an avid fan of the NZ All-Blacks 15 and Fiji 7s Rugby Teams and enjoys DIY carpentry projects although he advises us ‘to become a millionaire doing carpentry, it is best to start off as a billionaire’.

If you want to discuss any Intellectual Property or Commercial litigation matter please reach out to Aminiasi via email: aminiasi@sas.com.fj

Ana has been with our firm for nearly 4 years, and joined us after completing a 3 month legal placement with our firm.

Ana graduated from the University of the South Pacific in December 2011 with a Bachelor of Commerce degree (majoring in economics) and a LLB, and this broad background has assisted her adapt to a wide range of matters.

Within our firm Ana has become an integral member of the commercial team under the supervision of Atu Siwatibau, and she has specialised in the creation and registration of charitable trusts and enjoys property work, general commercial and employment law.

Ana assists with commercial property work and has undertaken specialist training in Strata Titling, and attended a short course in commercial contractual drafting held at the University of Cambridge, England in December 2016. Ana is interested in keeping fit and is an expert Zumba dancer.

If you have any questions relating to property, general commercial or employment please contact Ana: ana@sas.com.fj

Atu has more than 20 years’ experience as a commercial lawyer. Chambers Asia-Pacific 2016 describe him as ‘a highly regarded practitioner with an established reputation for construction industry matters. One source quoted by Chambers commented: "He doesn't shirk any responsibility and is able to localise our ideas for the Fiji environment."

Atu graduated from the University of Canterbury, New Zealand, with a Bachelor of Commerce (majoring in Economics and Business Administration) and an LLB (majoring in Commercial Law) and then spent 7 years as a commercial lawyer with the well regarded Auckland CBD firm Hesketh Henry.

In 2005 Atu co-founded the firm with the intention of contributing to nation-building projects in Fiji. In recent years Atu has been involved in some of Fiji's most exciting infrastructure and business projects and has played an integral part in their success. Atu manages a team of 3 commercial lawyers and 2 clerks who are committed to timely service delivery and the maxim: "late advice is no advice."

Atu's professional experience includes: Mergers and Acquisitions; Intellectual Property; commercial contract drafting; due diligence; and principles of risk management.

Specific project based work that Atu has been involved in includes:

• Energy, where he has represented a major electricity provider in all commercial and regulatory compliance matters arising in the course of business including major construction projects such as:
  • Financing and construction of a hydro project,
  • Construction of wind farm
  • Extension of transmission network
  • Construction of new diesel generation plant
  • Roading works
• Telecommunications, where he has:
  • Represented a telecommunications operator in all commercial and regulatory compliance matters arising in the course of business
  • Undertaken negotiations and mediation with the Government of Fiji and all relevant stakeholders in the de-regulation of the telecommunications market in Fiji
• Construction and Infrastructure, where he has:
  • Organised and presented inaugural construction law conferences in Fiji, PNG and Solomon Islands
  • Advised in relation to the Nadarivatu Hydro Project and construction of Fiji’s first Wind Farm advised on the txtension of electricity transmission network
  • Acted as counsel for a major hotel development
  • Advice and arbitration on major construction dispute over office block development
• Extractive industry, where he has:
  • Undertaken negotiations with various Government authorities up to and including issue of mining licence
  • Drafted compensation agreements with landowners
  • Advised in relation to EIAs
  • Advised in relation to the construction of infrastructure related to the project
• Mergers and Acquisitions, where he has:
  • Acted for a major telecommunications holding company in its initial listing on the South Pacific Stock Exchange
  • Acted for Ford Motor Company New Zealand’s purchase and merging of a number of New Zealand automotive businesses, acquisition of Mazda’s shares in New Zealand automotive businesses, acquisition of Land Rover, acquisition of Jaguar, acquisition of Hertz Rental Cars and sale of Ford New Zealand’s Alloy Wheel Plant.
  • Acted for management in management buyout of Waikato Milking Systems Limited in New Zealand o Acted for Izard Irwin in New Zealand in a buyout by American Tools Inc
  • Acted for Pacific Forum Line in setting up an unincorporated joint shipping venture with 3 other shipping companies
• Intellectual Property Law and practice, where he has:
  • Assisted with the acquisition and transfer of intellectual property rights of local company to an international buyer
  • Undertaken valuation, translation and licensing of traditional knowledge for publication and reproduction

Atu is also a member of the Steering Committee for the redrafting of IP laws in Fiji to bring it into line with TRIPS Agreement requirements Trade mark registration and oppositions o General corporate and commercial issues.

Atu is committed to Fiji’s future, and you should contact Atu if you would like to discuss any commercial or legal matter, infrastructure development, commercial contract matter, construction project or a merger or acquisition: atu@sas.com.fj

George has been a reliable, professional and capable IP Administrator with Siwatibau and Sloan for more than 8 years. He is responsible for undertaking a range of professional services under the supervision of our IP lawyers. George also assists and supports the Commercial Property team and the litigation team.

George represented Fiji in hockey for more than 10 years and is famous for his post-match celebrations in Suva’s premier Irish pub.

Iliame is an integral member of our firm and as our Business and Operations Manager and IT Manager and professional power lifter, is no stranger to heavy lifting. He holds a variety of qualifications in Electronics Engineering and various software and hardware platforms. Within our firm, Iliame is responsible for creating secure and dedicated information management systems that ensure our clients’ information is kept confidential. In the next few years, Iliame is tasked with managing projects that will ensure our clients are serviced with the most up to date IT solutions for their legal needs. In his spare time, Iliame enjoys keeping fit and has represented Fiji in power lifting.

James co-founded the firm in 2005 with the aim of creating a commercial law firm that would provide professional legal services suited to the Fiji law and governance context. While his background in England saw him specialise in administrative, environmental and planning law, this broadened with the commencement of the firm to wider civil litigation and commercial law.

James has developed a strong interest in Fiji’s legal and governance context that incorporates elements of traditional and introduced common law within a modern centralised system. He has a deep appreciation for Fiji’s natural environment and its nuanced governance system, and hopes to contribute to the sustainable management of Fiji’s natural resources through the application of the law and best practice management tools while still appreciating Fiji’s unique cultural and traditional heritage. In 2008, and together with other dedicated environmental lawyers James co-founded the Fiji Environmental Law Association (FELA) and Chaired FELA's Executive Management Committee from 2008 to March 2018 (www.fela.org.fj).

Recent publications that James has either authored, co-authored or contributed legal analysis to, include:

• August 2016 to date: Regular legal bulletins relating to Fiji and Pacific fisheries published via our firm’s website platform and circulated: http://www.sas.com.fj/legal-resources

• February 2017: Legal bulletin entitled: Human rights abuses and fisheries – an international law problem published via our firm’s website platform and circulated: http://www.sas.com.fj/legal-resources/human-rights-abuses-and-fisheries-an-international-law-problem

• October 2016: Contributor to Fiji Fisheries: 2015 Review – published by the Packard Foundation: packard.org/what-were-learning/resource/fiji-fisheries-2015-review/

• June 2016: An analysis of property rights in the Fijian qoliqoli: Marine Policy 72 (2016) 76-81: http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0308597X16300847

• January 2015: Researcher and author of: A Review of Near Shore Fisheries Law & Governance in Fiji - published by the Packard Foundation: packard.org/what-were-learning/resource/a-review-of-near-shore-fisheries-law-governance-in-fiji/

• July 2013: Researcher and contributor to: CCIF’s Fiji Country Report entitled Assessment of the Enabling Conditions for Rights-Based Management of Fisheries and Coastal Marine Resources – published by CCIF: trustforconservationinnovation.org/sponsored/inc/CCIF_Fiji_web.pdf

• July 2013 Researcher and contributor to: CCIF’s Solomon Islands Country Report entitled: Assessment of the Enabling Conditions of Fisheries and Coastal Marine Resources – published by CCIF: trustforconservationinnovation.org/sponsored/inc/CCIF_Solomon_web.pdf

James is a barrister at law in the English jurisdiction. His interests include: running, the environment with a particular focus on the ocean, governance systems and how to promote good decision making, providing a good working environment, travel, amateur photography, good science fiction and family

Contact James if you would like to discuss any oceans or environmental matter, or need assistance with commercial litigation: james@sas.com.fj

Josefa (Jo) started work in our firm in 2011. While he has plans to complete his law degree he is currently a law clerk with our firm and assists all our lawyers in relation to incorporation of companies, property dealings, civil litigation filing, due diligence assistance, and general enquiries and assistance. Jo provides the invaluable contact between our lawyers and the various government departments that are integral to the delivery of our commercial legal work. This includes regularly visiting the Registrar of Companies, the Registrar of Titles, Immigration, Inland Revenue, the Judiciary, the Lands Department, iTaukei Affairs Board and the Land Transport Authority.

Jo’s aims include Increasing his knowledge of the law, completing his law degree and then joining our firm as a lawyer specialising in construction and energy law. His ambition is to pass the Krav Maga initiation.

Kashni is our Accounts Manager. She is responsible for handling all the firm’s internal accounts processes in conjunction with the firm’s external accountants Ernst and Young. Kashni’s role is to ensure that all the firm’s accounts are kept in order and to ensure that all our invoices are sent out in a timely fashion. Over the years she has provided a dedicated and professional service to our firm and we greatly appreciate the work that she does.

Kevin is a dedicated environmental lawyer with extensive academic and professional experience in this area. Kevin’s main areas of interest include environmental and energy law. While he was with our firm Kevin for 3 years up to August 2016 he was involved with a range of projects that aimed at increasing knowledge of the local legal and governance context with respect to the sustainable use of natural resources.

Kevin has a wealth of academic experience including his Law degree, a Masters’ degree in Environmental Management from the University of Queensland in Australia and is part of the Rhodes Academy of Oceans Law and Policy alumni. Kevin has gained a deep appreciation for the Law of the Sea and is still closely following developments in this area and in particular the current negotiations related to Biodiversity Beyond National Jurisdiction (BBNJ).

Kevin has previously worked with the Fiji Environmental Law Association and the IUCN environmental law team.
Kevin is presently reading a masters at Stanford Law in California and when he has some free time provides consulting services to our firm in relation to Oceans Law.

Mary has 35 years of experience as a lawyer in the jurisdictions of California (US) and in Fiji, and for the last 5 years has headed up our commercial litigation department.

Prior to joining our firm, Mary had enjoyed a varied career within the US where she is a graduate of Berkely, California. She spent 23 years in private practice in California in the areas of company law, commercial, real estate, taxation, estate planning and wills, probate and trusts.

In January 2004 she moved to Fiji, and prior to joining our firm worked as a senior litigator and magistrate.

Mary is a very competent litigator who provides excellent supervision to all our litigators as well as advising our commercial clients on how to avoid litigation. She has a practical no nonsense approach that appeals to clients and a knowledge of litigation that is second to none.

With our firm Mary has specialised in civil and commercial cases in the Employment Tribunal, Suva High Court, Lautoka High Court, Labasa High Court, Suva Magistrates Court, Nadi Magistrates Court, Fiji Court of Appeal and Supreme Court of Fiji, and representing clients in mediation and arbitration. Mary also advises in relation to civil and commercial matters and this includes employment advice and disputes, share sale and purchase agreements, Capetown Convention implementation and compliance, construction documents and out of court claims against banking institutions for noncompliance with customer mandate. Mary has worked on a number of fraud related matters and has enjoyed a variety of successes in relation to complex insurance matters, probate matters and complicated land disputes.

Please reach out to Mary if you have any litigation questions: mary@sas.com.fj

Prior to joining the firm in 2011, Pita was a Senior prosecutor at the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) where he was part of the General Crimes Unit, responsible for the prosecution of serious criminal offences.

Within our firm Pita is a senior litigator and handles a wide range of litigation matters including: employment claims, personal injury matters, debt collection and company matters. Pita has a reputation for reliability, professional integrity and honesty. He is well regarded by his peers and the wider legal profession. Pita is always willing to assist any lawyer in relation to their matters and has handled a number of notable pro-bono cases in the public interest. He is proud to have appeared at every level of Fiji’s court system including the Supreme Court.

Pita is available to respond to any litigation queries: pita@sas.com.fj

Seini has 5 years of commercial law practice experience and joined our firm in January 2016 as part of the Commercial team under the supervision of Atu Siwatibau.

Seini areas of interest include Commercial Property, Commercial and Estate Law. She also advises clients on commercial law matters, including, but not limited to company formation, foreign investment, drafting and reviewing contracts. Seini has a quiet professionalism that resonates in the way that she undertakes her work and handles all her matters. She is committed to advising clients on how their matter will proceed and ensures that all regulatory and legal obligations are complied with. Seini has also had some experience in civil aviation law immigration, mining, and employment.

Seini’s competence, careful approach and excellent understanding of property and tax matters has seen her be appointed head of our commercial property section.

Contact Seini if you have a property law or tax law question or instruction: seini@sas.com.fj

Sarote has been the firm’s law librarian from the time we opened our doors in 2005. Sarote provides a professional and dedicated library service which includes updating all the legislation in Fiji in an electronic format. This is an invaluable service in Fiji where legislation is continually changing and is not always updated. Sarote has also created a database of Fiji Government Gazette advertisements, which include all the amendments to Fiji law and provide numerous legal alerts. Sarote has also created a case citation database for High Court of Fiji and Court of Appeal. She has been a dedicated and professional librarian for over 30 years and is capable of responding to client requests for library information and we frequently update our clients with the latest legislation with amendments. Time and again Sarote’s services have proved invaluable to our practice.