The dispute over the Malietoa title through the Lands and Titles court in Samoa is likely to take years to sort out.
The high ranking chiefly title was bestowed on Fa'amausili Moli Malietoa, the son of the late Head of State, Malietoa Tanumafili II, in June last year.
But according to a court ruling in 1939, all three clans, or households, of the Malietoa title, need to agree on who is to receive it, and they are contesting their rights to the title.
Senior lecturer in Samoan Studies at Victoria University Galumalemana Afeleti Alfred Hunkin says even with a court ruling, if anyone remains unhappy with the decision, then court appeals are likely.
"When the court itself finally gives a ruling but then the clans or families aren't satisfied they can go back to the Lands and titles court until they decided who is going to hold the title name. Some title names have taken years."
The three clans are the descendants of Malietoa Moli, Malietoa Gatutasina and Malietoa Talavou.
