Tonga's Court of Appeal first session this year began at the Nuku’alofa Supreme Court today, Tuesday, 29 March, to end with the delivery of judgments on Friday, 8 April.

The two-weeks sitting has 11 cases listed to be heard, including four civil appeals, five land appeals and two appeals from the Magistrate’s Court.

The civil appeal of former Tongatapu No.4 People's Representative to Parliament Mateni Tapueluelu will be heard on Wednesday, 30 March.

He is appealing against a Supreme Court ruling on December 11, 2015 declaring his election unconstitutional due to outstanding debts in a court order from 2011. He has since vacated his parliamentary seat.

At the same time, one of the appeals from the Magistrate’s Court is Tu’ivakano & Others v Pohiva (Prime Minister) and the PSA. This is an appeal in relation to a Tongasat (Friendly Islands Satellite Communications) case when costs were awarded in the Magistrate’s Court, and will be heard on Wednesday, 30 March.

An appeal by 'Etuate Lavulavu, a former Vava’u No. 16 People’s Representative to Parliament, is expected to be heard in the second Appeal Court session in September this year. A Supreme Court ruling found that he committed bribery during his election campaign in 2014.

The presiding appeal judges are the Hon. Mr Justice Michael Moore, Hon. Mr Justice Peter Blanchard, Hon. Mr Justice Ken Handley and Hon. Mr Justice Tupou.