29 Jun 2009

Tonga Appeal Court sitting to deal with 21 cases

1:19 pm on 29 June 2009

The Court of Appeal in Tonga begins its 2009 Session today, and will hear 21 cases, probably the most made in the history of a Court of Appeal Session.

Matangi Tonga reports the Appeal Judges for this year are Mr Justice James Burchett, Mr Justice Peter Salmon, and Mr Justice Michael Moore, with Tonga's Chief Justice Anthony Ford as Chairman.

During the two-weeks session the judges will preside over 10 civil, seven criminal and two land appeal cases with one divorce appeal and one appeal from the Magistrate's Court.

The seven criminal cases include the appeal by People's Representatives 'Akilisi Pohiva, 'Isileli Pulu, William Clive Edwards, 'Uliti Uata and a former representative Lepolo Taunisila against a decision made by Justice Andrew in March this year, granting thecrown the right to file amended indictments against them.

There are only two land cases, consisting of an appeal by 'Alifeleti Mone/Free Wesleyan Church of Tonga v Paane regarding the Free Wesleyan Church property at Halaleva, the other is Rush v Parrish.

The Court of Appeal will pass judgments on Friday July the 10th.