Lavulavu appeal to be heard later in year [1]
Thursday, March 24, 2016 - 18:46
An appeal by ‘Etuate Lavulavu against a Supreme Court ruling that found he committed bribery will not be heard until the second session of Tonga's Court of Appeal in September later this year.
Lavulavu was found to have committed bribery during his election campaign in Vava'u and as a result of the ruling vacated his parliament seat.
The Supreme Court office confirmed this week that Lavulavu's appeal will be heard in the second session in September.
Meanwhile, the first session of Tonga’s Court of Appeal will start after Easter, running from March 29 to April 8 at the Nuku'alofa Supreme Court.
The Appeal judges are expected hear a total of 11 cases including an appeal by former Tongatapu No. 4 People’s Representative to Parliament, Mateni Tapueluelu who lost his seat after a Supreme Court ruling on December 11, 2015 declaring his election unconstitutional due to outstanding debts in a court order from 2011.