Enhancing Tonga Court Services
Tonga’s Ministry of Justice (MOJ) and the Courts have implemented an initiative to improve the court services surrounding the Family Protection Act.
The “Enhancing the Court Implementation of the Family Protection Act 2013” project aims to strengthen the court services for vulnerable court users and providing greater access to family protection orders and court services especially in remote areas and outer islands.
This 12 to 18-month project is being implemented with the support and funds of the Pacific Justice Sector Programme (PJSP) and the Family Free of Violence (FFOV) initiative, reaffirming Tonga’s commitment to ensuring justice and safety for its court users. The Courts of Tonga has engaged the Project Working Group which includes the Judges and Magistrates in the Court of Tonga. The Working Group will be the main decision-making authority in this project.
Key areas of work under the project
The project is designed to tackle some of the main challenges survivors face when seeking legal protection and having a safe court environment. It focuses on four key sub-projects:
- Access to Protection Orders - hotline
- A new telephone-based Family Protection Order process will be introduced in the Magistrates Court, making it easier for survivors to apply for urgent protection orders through a toll-free national hotline.
- Public Awareness and Outreach
- There will be an increase in court outreach activities to ensure the public understands how Family Protection Orders work and how they can access them. This includes developing court information materials and establishing an official online presence for the Ministry of Justice and Tonga’s courts.
- Safe & Private Waiting Areas in Courts
- Dedicated waiting areas will be set up in the Magistrates Court and Supreme Court for family and sexual violence complainants, ensuring privacy and safety. These spaces will also allow vulnerable witnesses to give testimony via video conferencing where necessary.
- Stronger Police-Court Coordination
- A formal collaboration framework will be developed between courts and police, ensuring the timely service of protection orders and improved police response to family violence cases.
Project Management & Implementation
To lead this important initiative, the Ministry of Justice has appointed a Project Manager who will oversee the implementation of these reforms. This role will involve working closely with magistrates, court staff, police, and community organizations to ensure that the Family Protection Act is effectively enforced for the benefit of survivors and the broader public.
What this means for the Public
This project will make it easier, faster, and safer for individuals seeking protection under the Family Protection Act, and for vulnerable court users when attending court sessions. By improving access to justice and strengthening institutional coordination, it is a significant step forward in addressing family violence in Tonga and access to justice.
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