Mr. Justice Warwick John Andrew was appointed as Tonga's new permanent Supreme Court judge, from May 10.

Mr Justice Andrew, a former judge at the District Court of New South Wales, Sydney, Australia, is currently assisting Chief Justice, Hon Anthony Ford at the Nuku'alofa Supreme court.

His recruitment to Tonga for two years was made possible through AusAid, the aid donor agency of the Australian Government.

Mr Justice Andrew became a barrister in Australia, before becoming a judge at the Supreme Court of Papua New Guinea and in the Court of Appeal of the Solomon Islands.

Increasing caseload

Meanwhile, due to the increasing number of cases in the Nuku'alofa Supreme Court as a result of the events of November 16, 2006, a third judge is being sought from the United Kingdom.

The Nuku'alofa Supreme Court office confirmed today, they were targeting for a third judge to take up his position in September later this year for a period of two years. The Commonwealth Secretariat will be funding the recruitment of the judge.