Land and Titles Rules – 2026
The rules of the Land and Titles Division, which has exclusive jurisdiction over communal land and matai titles — and where about 90% of American Samoa's land is at stake, communally owned and controlled by matai. This is procedurally its own world: the Federal Rules "shall have no application" there, and the division may act "in such manner as it considers to be most consistent with natural justice and convenience" where its rules are silent. Registration of matai titles and land titles is commenced by petition to the TERRITORIAL REGISTRAR rather than the clerk (TCRLT 2-3), and the clerk is directed to receive but NOT file a complaint that lacks the Secretary of Samoan Affairs' certificate of irreconcilable dispute — the parties must first appear personally, without counsel, at least twice before the Secretary. Never treat a land dispute here as ordinary civil litigation.
Browse all 14 rules of the 2026 edition below. Each rule includes the full text, a plain-English summary, committee notes, amendment history, and cross-references to related rules. Use the search box to find rules by keyword or number.