Chief Justice to hear judicial review by former broadcaster [1]
Monday, June 12, 2017 - 19:40
The Lord Chief Justice will proceed to hear a judicial review filed by the former General Manager of the Tonga Broadcasting Commission Nanise Fifita, now set for Tuesday, June 20, at the Supreme Court.
An injunction hearing was first set to be held today, Monday June 12.
William Edwards, counsel for the plaintiff said today that the Chief Justice O.G. Paulsen decided he wanted to hear everything, not just matters for an injunction.
"He wanted to hear the judicial review case, which is the final case and make a decision based on all facts, and ordered for the Crown and Tonga Broadcasting Commission to file their defences and any further affidavits by Wednesday, June 14."
The Chief Justice is expected to make his final decision early, he said.
Fifita had filed the application for judicial review against Government over her dismissal and termination of her renewed contract of employment, on 1 May.
The Supreme Court granted this application on 19 May.
The injunction hearing was then set to be heard first before the judicial review, but now that has changed and the hearing will proceed to the judicial review.