Photos by Tupou Vaipulu Jr.

British Barrister, Malcom Bishop KC, officially assumed office as the new Lord Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of Tonga and President of the Land Court on 2 September 2024.

He was welcomed by members of the judiciary at the Supreme Court 1.

King Tupou VI in the Privy Council, approved the appointment of the new Chief Justice.

“It is indeed a great honor to be appointed by His Majesty in Privy Council to this important post as head of the system of justice in this Kingdom,” Lord Chief Justice Bishop said.

“As I begin this office with humility and respect for the traditions of this Kingdom, I do so in a spirit of collegiality with the Bar and all court users.”

Mr. Bishop KC has many years of experience in litigation and legal advice over a wide range of specialiation.

He was a founder member in 1972, of 30 Park Place chambers in Cardiff, Wales. He has appeared in courts all over England and Wales as well as the Caribbean, from Magistrate's Courts to the Supreme Court and the Privy Council.

The Legal Futures newspaper reported that Mr. Bishop was approached earlier this year for the job.

Tonga's previous Lord Chief Justice, Australian, Michael H. Whitten KC, had his last sitting in the Nuku'alofa Supreme Court in August last year. He served four years in Tonga, from 2 September 2019, and left at the conclusion of his contract.