From Matangi Tonga Magazine Vol. 18, no. 2, August 2003.

The Vava‘u no. 2 People’s Representative to the Tongan Legislative Assembly, ‘Etuate Lavulavu, filed a motion for a writ, with the Tongan Legislative Assembly on June 25, calling for the impeachment of the Chief Justice, Hon. Mr Justice Ward.

‘Etuate said that the writ contained seven charges against the Chief Justice, based on his belief that Clause 87 of the Constitution was infringed. Clause 87 relates to parliamentary approval of the Chief Justice’s salary.

The writ will be introduced into the House as a motion, which must be passed by the House first, before an impeachment hearing in parliament may proceed.

Writs

The Tongan parliament has never before presided over an impeachment case, even though three motions with writs for impeachment have been presented to the Tongan parliament since the 1960s, including one against Chief Justice Harward in 1985, filed by a former member of parliament, Masao Paasi.

‘Etuate’s motion to impeach the Chief Justice will not be debated by the House until after they resume the 2003 session on July 28.