Judiciary welcomes Hon. Mr Justice Laki Niu [1]
Wednesday, July 11, 2018 - 19:46. Updated on Wednesday, July 11, 2018 - 19:47.
Hon. Mr Justice Laki Niu, recently appointed as a judge of the Supreme Court and Land Court of Tonga, was welcomed to the judiciary in a ceremony today, July 11 in Nuku'alofa.
Lord Chief Justice O.G. Paulsen said when he arrived in Tonga he learned quickly that Mr Niu remained among the best lawyers in the country.
"His appointment has been very long time coming and he is the first Tongan appointed to a permanent position on the Supreme Court," he said.
The Lord Chief Justice believed that Tonga has been served well by papalangi judges and while Tonga will need them for some time to come, times are changing.
“I hope that Justice Niu is just the first Tongan to be appointed to this Court and that in time all the judges of the Supreme Court will be men and women of Tonga. Today we mark the beginning of that process.”
In addition, he acknowledged the New Zealand Government's generosity for making this appointment possible and for their continuous support to the justice sector.
Hon Mr Justice Niu was appointed for four-years starting on July 1 by the King in Privy Council after receiving advice from a Judicial Appointments and Disciplinary Panel.
The appointment was made following an agreement with the New Zealand Government to provide donor funds for payment of the salary of a Tongan national to sit as a Supreme Court judge.
The ceremony hosted by the judiciary was attended by its members, Law Lords, the New Zealand High Commissioner HE Tiffany Babington, Police Commissioner Stephen Caldwell and members of the law profession, at the Supreme Court in Nuku'alofa this morning.