Results for Supreme Court

A civil proceeding alleging unlawful payment of around USD$25.4 million to Tongasat by the Government of Tonga in 2011 for the use of its orbital slots by a Chinese company, is being heard at the Supreme Court in Nuku'alofa this week. Three successive Tongan Prime Ministers will be called to give evidence.

Two men received imprisonment sentences on May 29 at the Supreme Court, after pleading guilty to possession of cannabis that included seeds found to have been germinating, possibly for cultivation.

A civil action, filed by a couple who allege false representations were made that they would be granted a lease of a beach in Vava'u for tourism purposes, will be defended by the Governor of Vava'u and the Government of Tonga, after a judgment by default was set aside last week.

A 67-year-old man charged with attempted carnal knowledge on a child will appear for trial, at the Supreme Court on May 1.

Six local Tongan law practitioners received mediation training last week from Tonga’s Lord Chief Justice Owen Paulsen and from one of New Zealand’s leading mediators John Hardie. They were trained to assist people in resolving disputes quickly and inexpensively, rather than having cases go unnecessarily to court.

Tevita Fifita was found guilty of using a vehicle with an unauthorized licence plate and was discharged without conviction on the basis that he pay to court $200 pa’anga compensation, which he had done when a verdict was delivered by a Supreme Court judge on November 17.

Three men, convicted of rape and attempted rape in separate cases that took place in Tongatapu last year, awaits sentencing at the Supreme Court in Nuku'alofa.

Sio Vaka (20) was acquitted of manslaughter in relation to the stabbing death of Lipine Fakatene (33) in January last year, after a Supreme Court judge ruled this was self-defence during a tragic altercation at Fua'amotu. “Knives and other weapons should not be carried by young men for the purpose of fighting and this case is a demonstration of the very tragic consequences that can occur when they are,” said the Judge.

Petuliki Lave (22) was sentenced to eight years imprisonment after pleading guilty to the serious offence of carnal knowledge of a child under the age of 12.