The first sitting of the Tongan Court of Appeal for 2005 began on Monday July 11 at the Nuku'alofa Supreme Court.

The Court of Appeal Judges are Hon. Mr. Justice Burchett from Australia, with Hon. Sir David Tompkins and Hon. Mr. Justice Salmon, both from New Zealand. The Tonga Court of Appeal will run from July 11-22. There are 11 appeal cases, three criminal cases and the rest are civil cases.

Manako Vi, the Supreme Court Registrar, said that the judges began today's Court of appeal session with a short ceremony in remembrance of former Court of Appeal Judge to Tonga Hon. Justice Beaumont of Australia, who passed away earlier this year.