Tonga's chief justice, Michael Scott, has excused himself from a civil suit by the former attorney general, John Cauchi, after he had misdirected the jury.
Mr Cauchi is suing the Tongan government for contract breaches after he resigned in 2010, less than a year into a projected three-year term.
Mr Cauchi is alleging he was forced to resign by the Feleti Sevele government and is seeking more than half a million US dollars in damages.
Chief justice Scott is to make public his full reasons for stepping aside and dismissing the jury on January the 23rd.
But it is understood he was incorrect in telling the jury it would not have a role in determining liability in the case.
