4 May 2012

New Zealander sworn in as Tonga Supreme Court judge

12:33 pm on 4 May 2012

New Zealander Charles Cato has been sworn in as a Supreme Court judge in Tonga, replacing British judge Robert Shuster whose tenure has ended.

Radio Tonga reports that Mr Cato, a former Rhodes scholar, has taught and practiced law in New Zealand and Australia for 30 years.

He will join the Chief Justice, Michael Scott.

Mr Shuster, who will shortly return to Britain, had faced criticism over a number of his rulings, including one that convicted youths be whipped.