By Linny Folau

After completing eight and a half-years as a Supreme Court Judge of Tonga, Hon. Mr Justice Charles Cato was appointed as a King’s Counsel, during a formal but heartwarming farewell in Nuku'alofa today.

The 70-year-old from New Zealand took up the job in 2012 and has since presided over more than 2000 cases, including criminal, civil, family cases and others.

Lord Chief Justice Whitten presented Justice Cato with a Letter of Appointment from King Tupou VI as King's Counsel for his distinguished and exceptional services to the Tongan judiciary, at the Nuku'alofa Supreme Court.

The Chief Justice also commended the outgoing judge for his tireless dedication and service.

During his time in Tonga he was also awarded the Grand Officer of the Order of the Royal Household of Tonga by the King.

Praise, gratitude and fond memories were common themes among the speeches made by the Lord Chief Justice Whitten, Lord Tupou from the Judiciary Panel, Sione Fonua from Tonga Law Society and the Director of Public Prosecutions, Semisi Lutui.

Legacy

The Director for Public Prosecutions, Semisi Lutui said Hon Mr Justice Cato dealt predominantly with the criminal matters before the Supreme Court and delivered rulings, decisions and judgments in some of the most complex criminal matters during this time.

He said many of his decisions have led to law reform in this country, most notably to the Criminal Offences Act and the Evidence Act, with other Bills already in draft form for government consideration. Many of his decisions have helped the growth and shaped the criminal jurisprudence in this country.

“The vast legal experience and the wealth of knowledge that His Honour brought to the bench in Tonga was valuable and indeed beneficial to the judiciary and law practitioners in this country,” he said.

"Justice Cato has been a mentor to all counsel in Tonga, on both sides of the bar. He will indeed leave a great gap in the judiciary and the legal fraternity of the Kingdom.”

“In addition, it is no exaggeration to say that I have witnessed a change during His Honour’s tenure and this has greatly enhanced, not only our own working environment as Crown Prosecutors, but also has enhanced the level of public confidence in our justice delivery system. ... After all, justice is rooted in public confidence."

Honoured

Hon Mr Justice Cato said he felt humbled by the speeches made. The event was somewhat sad, as time had gone by so quickly, after making Tonga his home in the last couple of years.

"I love the law.,,, In addition, I did my duty and it makes me happy to know that you feel that I did my duty,” he said.

He thanked the Chief Justice and expressed his deep gratitiude to have received the appointment from the King.

“It is a great honour,” he said.

Hon Mr Justice Cato also commented on the crucial time he arrived in Tonga and mentioned a few cases, particurlarly the burning of the Shoreline Building in the 16/11 riots.

He recalled how the Tongan judiciary has since developed, gave advice to prosecutors and wished the judiciary and Tonga well.

"I move on with plenty of good stories and memories."

Retirement

Justice Cato who was sworn in as a Supreme Court judge in 2012 will return home to New Zealand for his retirement.

He came to Tonga after a distinguished career.

He was admitted to the New Zealand Bar as Supreme Court Judge, after completing a LLB (Hons) from the University of Auckland and a Bachelor of Criminal Law from Oxford University. 

As an academic, he was the author of numerous publications, a prosecutor and also a defence barrister. He was also a lecturer in at the University of Auckland and the Northern Territory University.  

In Nuku'alofa, Hon Mr Justice Cato also chaired the Police Board, a Royal Commission of Enquiry that looked at the Sia Heu Lupe heritage site at Popua; while presiding over Tribunals.