TONGA'S Chief Justice Anthony David Ford will preside over his last case in the Tonga Supreme Court on Friday, August 13, before he leaves for New Zealand the following day.

Chief Justice Ford has been appointed as an Employment Judge in New Zealand and is scheduled to be sworn-in at Wellington on Friday, September 3.

Chief Justice Ford joined the Tongan judiciary in 2000 as a judge of the Supreme Court in Nuku'alofa. In 2005 he was appointed as a member of the Fiji Court of Appeal.

On September 8, 2006 he took up the Chief Justice role after the Tonga Privy Council approved his appointment in July 2006.

A replacement of Chief Justice Ford has not been announced though an advertisement for a new Chief Justice was closed last Friday, August 6.

Chief Justice Ford, a Barrister and Solicitor of the High Court of New Zealand came from Hokitika in the North Island of New Zealand. He began his law career with the Maori Affairs Department in Auckland from 1962-67, and then joined the legal team of Eide & Finnigan Solicitors for four years while being a part time law student at the University of Auckland.

After graduating with a Law Degree in 1970, he joined Bell Gully Solicitors, Wellington in 1970 where he worked for 30 years.

Chief Justice Ford will depart Tonga with his wife Valda on Saturday, August 14.