Chief Justice Michael Scott today ordered 'Akilisi Pohiva to pay $22,000 in legal costs to the Registrar of the Supreme Court by close of business on 21 October 2014.

The decision was in response to two applications filed by 'Akilisi's counsel, H E Harrison QC, SC, seeking the deference of a Magistrate's Court order for 'Akilisi to pay $22,000 legal cost.

The basis of the applications was that unless the order awarding costs was set aside or at the very least stayed, prior to the close of nominations for the November General Election, the applicant would be prevented from standing for election.

Candidates for Tonga's 2014 Parliamentary Election must register on October 22-23.

Chief Justice Michael Scott, in passing his decision today, stated, "In my opinion this application is an attempt to circumvent the effect of Clause 65 (of the Tonga Constitution). . . Despite everything that has been urged upon me I find it clear beyond doubt that there is an order of the Court which has not been satiafied and therefore, until the order has been complied with, Clause 65 applies."

Clause 65 of the Constitution reads – "Representatives of the people shall be chosen by ballot and any person who is qualified as an elector may nominate as a candidate and be chosen as a representative of the electoral constituency in which he is registered save that no person may be chosen against whom any order has been made in any Court in the Kingdom for the payment of a specific sum of money the whole or any part of which remains outstanding..."