A seven-member jury has been discharged in a civil trial which has been held for over a week at the Nuku'alofa Supreme Court, regarding claims brought by the former Attorney General John Cauchi against the Government of Tonga.

The Lord Chief Justice Michael Scott yesterday afternoon discharged the jury after an application to discharge the jury and hearing submissions from both parties. He adjourned the case to January 23, 2014 for further directon and hearing of cross examinations.

No further reasons were given, apart from the dischagring of the jury in the trial which began last week on 19 November.

The plaintiff Cauchi, an Australian national and Tonga’s first independent Attorney General, filed Causes of Action against the Government of Tonga claiming over AUD$500,000 in special damages and relief for Breach of Contract, Repudiation of Contract and Constructive Dismissal.

The court heard evidence from Cauchi with the defendant the Government of Tonga calling three witnesses that included the former Prime Minister Lord Sevele, the former Chief Secretary and Secretary to Cabinet Busby Kautoke and the Solicitor General ‘Aminiasi Kefu.