THE British Government has assisted the Tongan Judiciary by renovating a third courthouse at the Supreme Court in Nuku'alofa at a cost of TOP$30,000.

The Chief Registrar at the Supreme Court office said the renovation was part of ongoing assistance from the British Government to the Judiciary in Tonga. She said fresh paint, new furnishing and air conditioning work was done in two weeks and included the making of the wooden furniture of chairs and tables locally with new carpet to be sent from abroad.

Justice Robert Shuster viewed the renovations today along with the three Court of Appeal Judges, Justice James Burchette, Justice Peter Salmon and Justice Michael Moore, and local magistrates Salesi Mafi, Pita Soakimi and Sione 'Etika.

In April, the British Government donated over $80,000 pa'anga worth of law books and computer equipment to the Supreme Court of Tonga in Nuku'alofa.

Judge vacancy

Tonga has remained without a third Supreme Court House since the departure of Justice Warwick Andrew in August 2010.

Meanwhile, the position for a Supreme Court judge is currently being advertised with applications closing on October 14. The third Supreme Court judge to be appointed would use the newly renovated courthouse.