Palau Court News: CJ Ngiraklsong's Death; Uehara as Administrator: New Court Counsel from France
Palau Judiciary mourns the loss of Chief Justice Arthur Ngiraklsong
by Island Times
November 22, 2022
The Palau Judiciary mourns the loss of Chief Justice Arthur Ngiraklsong who passed away on Wednesday, November 16 at Belau National Hospital. He was 81 years old. The Palau Judiciary has lost a cherished colleague but take comfort knowing that future generations will remember CJ Ngiraklsong as we knew him - a fearless champion of justice.
Chief Justice Ngiraklsong retired from the bench on June 1, 2020 after 28 years of service to the Republic, first as an Associate Justice in 1986 and as Chief Justice in 1992. He was a visionary leader who was well known for his high ethical standards and commitment to judicial excellence. Prior to his tenure on the bench, he served as staff attorney and later assistant legislative counsel for the Congress of the Federated States of Micronesia. He also served as an Assistant Attorney General for the Government of Guam. CJ Ngiraklsong was a member of various judicial organizations throughout the north and south pacific whose overall aim was to improve judicial efficiency by training and developing the partner courts. He will be missed by many both at home and abroad.
The state funeral will be held on Thursday, December 8, 2022 at the OEK satellite office in Koror to be followed by the family service at Esuroi, Idid hamlet.
https://islandtimes.org/palau-judiciary-mourns-the-loss-of-chief-justice-arthur-ngiraklsong/
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Palau’s former Chief Justice Ngirakelsong passed away
by Leilani Reklai
November 18, 2022
Chief Justice Arthur Ngirakelsong
Palau’s revered former Chief Justice Arthur Ngirakelsong passed away on Wednesday, November 16, 2022, two and half years after he resigned from his post as the Chief Justice of the Palau Supreme Court.
Remembered for his strong sense of justice and integrity, Chief Justice Ngirakelsong, left large shoes for Palau’s Judiciary to fill.
“I am devastated to learn of the passing of the late Chief Justice Arthur Ngirakelsong this evening,” said President Surangel Whipps Jr. in his public statement on the passing of the former Chief Justice. “The Judiciary has lost a legend - a visionary leader and trailblazer who stands as the longest presiding Chief Justice in our history, during which he retained competent jurists to oversee the delivery of justice to the people of Palau. He leaves behind a legacy of judicial standards that all present and future judges will emulate, “ expressed President Whipps.
Mrs. Sandra Pierantozzi and her husband Marcello Pierantozzi, close friends of CJ Ngirakelsong for many years, said they were “devastated" when they were told he had passed away. “He was one of Palau’s giants,” expressed Sandra Pierantozzi in an emotional interview last night. Mrs. Pierantozzi said that their friendship was “free of any interest” and was one where CJ Ngirakelsong was free to be himself. “He would chat and laugh with Marcello, just talking about mundane stuff.”
“He really made the judiciary what it is today. He was strict but fair, ensuring the rules were followed,” added Sandra.
Vice President J. Uduch Sengebau-Senior, an attorney and a former judge, remembered her first experience as a practicing attorney in Palau. She said it was the first time three young Palau female attorneys had returned home to practice law. She recounted that each time they entered his courtroom, he threw all kinds of questions at them, testing them. “We called it a “trial by fire” experience with Chief Justice Ngirakelsong. He wanted the best out of us; he wanted us to be able to perform competently, to be the best advocate for our clients,” said Vice President Senior.
“He has a standard of excellence that I think comes from his own sense of integrity,” added Uduch of her impression of the last Chief Justice Ngirakelsong.
Late Chief Justice Ngirakelsong became the second person appointed Chief Justice of Palau’s Supreme Court after Chief Justice Mamoru Nakamura passed away in 1992. Ngirakelsong served as Chief Justice for 28 years and resigned from his position as Chief Justice on June 1, 2020, after he suffered a stroke. Palau justices are appointed for life and would only leave their post through death, resignation, or removal for specific causes.
https://islandtimes.org/palaus-former-chief-justice-ngirakelsong-passed-away/
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Uehara is the new Judiciary Administrative Director; Court hires new court counsel
by Leilani Reklai
November 18, 2022
Kenneth Uehara
Judiciary hired a new Administrative Director and a new court counsel. Kenneth Uehara is the new Administrative Director for the Judiciary, filling up a post that has been having been vacant for some time.
Mr. Uehara brings extensive experience and qualifications to the position. With a Bachelor of Arts degree in Administration, Biology, and General Science, he also has an MBA from the University of Guam. He is a retired US Airforce/Air National Guard veteran, former President of the Palau Chamber of Commerce, former Palau Public Utilities General Manager, and former Governor of Angaur State.
He returned home in 2004 after his retirement from the military to “answer a call to serve Palau in different capacities.”
Alexane Welsch
Judiciary welcomed another new employee, a court counsel who is a native of Montpellier, France, Alexane Welsch, Esq. According to her bio, she holds a Master’s degree from the Universite Paris Nanterre, France, and graduated summa cum laude from the American University Washington College of Law. She is an active human rights advocate and member of the Washington D.C. bar.
She said she looks forward to living and Palau and learning more about Palauan culture.
https://islandtimes.org/uehara-is-the-new-judiciary-administrative-director-court-hires-new-court-counsel/
by Island Times
November 22, 2022
The Palau Judiciary mourns the loss of Chief Justice Arthur Ngiraklsong who passed away on Wednesday, November 16 at Belau National Hospital. He was 81 years old. The Palau Judiciary has lost a cherished colleague but take comfort knowing that future generations will remember CJ Ngiraklsong as we knew him - a fearless champion of justice.
Chief Justice Ngiraklsong retired from the bench on June 1, 2020 after 28 years of service to the Republic, first as an Associate Justice in 1986 and as Chief Justice in 1992. He was a visionary leader who was well known for his high ethical standards and commitment to judicial excellence. Prior to his tenure on the bench, he served as staff attorney and later assistant legislative counsel for the Congress of the Federated States of Micronesia. He also served as an Assistant Attorney General for the Government of Guam. CJ Ngiraklsong was a member of various judicial organizations throughout the north and south pacific whose overall aim was to improve judicial efficiency by training and developing the partner courts. He will be missed by many both at home and abroad.
The state funeral will be held on Thursday, December 8, 2022 at the OEK satellite office in Koror to be followed by the family service at Esuroi, Idid hamlet.
https://islandtimes.org/palau-judiciary-mourns-the-loss-of-chief-justice-arthur-ngiraklsong/
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Palau’s former Chief Justice Ngirakelsong passed away
by Leilani Reklai
November 18, 2022
Chief Justice Arthur Ngirakelsong
Palau’s revered former Chief Justice Arthur Ngirakelsong passed away on Wednesday, November 16, 2022, two and half years after he resigned from his post as the Chief Justice of the Palau Supreme Court.
Remembered for his strong sense of justice and integrity, Chief Justice Ngirakelsong, left large shoes for Palau’s Judiciary to fill.
“I am devastated to learn of the passing of the late Chief Justice Arthur Ngirakelsong this evening,” said President Surangel Whipps Jr. in his public statement on the passing of the former Chief Justice. “The Judiciary has lost a legend - a visionary leader and trailblazer who stands as the longest presiding Chief Justice in our history, during which he retained competent jurists to oversee the delivery of justice to the people of Palau. He leaves behind a legacy of judicial standards that all present and future judges will emulate, “ expressed President Whipps.
Mrs. Sandra Pierantozzi and her husband Marcello Pierantozzi, close friends of CJ Ngirakelsong for many years, said they were “devastated" when they were told he had passed away. “He was one of Palau’s giants,” expressed Sandra Pierantozzi in an emotional interview last night. Mrs. Pierantozzi said that their friendship was “free of any interest” and was one where CJ Ngirakelsong was free to be himself. “He would chat and laugh with Marcello, just talking about mundane stuff.”
“He really made the judiciary what it is today. He was strict but fair, ensuring the rules were followed,” added Sandra.
Vice President J. Uduch Sengebau-Senior, an attorney and a former judge, remembered her first experience as a practicing attorney in Palau. She said it was the first time three young Palau female attorneys had returned home to practice law. She recounted that each time they entered his courtroom, he threw all kinds of questions at them, testing them. “We called it a “trial by fire” experience with Chief Justice Ngirakelsong. He wanted the best out of us; he wanted us to be able to perform competently, to be the best advocate for our clients,” said Vice President Senior.
“He has a standard of excellence that I think comes from his own sense of integrity,” added Uduch of her impression of the last Chief Justice Ngirakelsong.
Late Chief Justice Ngirakelsong became the second person appointed Chief Justice of Palau’s Supreme Court after Chief Justice Mamoru Nakamura passed away in 1992. Ngirakelsong served as Chief Justice for 28 years and resigned from his position as Chief Justice on June 1, 2020, after he suffered a stroke. Palau justices are appointed for life and would only leave their post through death, resignation, or removal for specific causes.
https://islandtimes.org/palaus-former-chief-justice-ngirakelsong-passed-away/
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Uehara is the new Judiciary Administrative Director; Court hires new court counsel
by Leilani Reklai
November 18, 2022
Kenneth Uehara
Judiciary hired a new Administrative Director and a new court counsel. Kenneth Uehara is the new Administrative Director for the Judiciary, filling up a post that has been having been vacant for some time.
Mr. Uehara brings extensive experience and qualifications to the position. With a Bachelor of Arts degree in Administration, Biology, and General Science, he also has an MBA from the University of Guam. He is a retired US Airforce/Air National Guard veteran, former President of the Palau Chamber of Commerce, former Palau Public Utilities General Manager, and former Governor of Angaur State.
He returned home in 2004 after his retirement from the military to “answer a call to serve Palau in different capacities.”
Alexane Welsch
Judiciary welcomed another new employee, a court counsel who is a native of Montpellier, France, Alexane Welsch, Esq. According to her bio, she holds a Master’s degree from the Universite Paris Nanterre, France, and graduated summa cum laude from the American University Washington College of Law. She is an active human rights advocate and member of the Washington D.C. bar.
She said she looks forward to living and Palau and learning more about Palauan culture.
https://islandtimes.org/uehara-is-the-new-judiciary-administrative-director-court-hires-new-court-counsel/