Results for From the Courts

Bullying and mob violence have no place in any civilised society, a judge said yesterday in sending three former Tupou College students to lengthy prison terms for their part in a violent attack on a home in Tofoa that severely injured a young man on 18 July 2013.

The trial of two policemen charged with manslaughter in relation to the death of ‘Inoke Pepa (20) in Vaini in 2012 began this week, at the Nuku’alofa Supreme Court.

The Kele’a newspaper can have its appeal heard at the Supreme Court against damages and costs awarded to William Clive Edwards in a defamation case but they must first pay $14,500 in damages, plus costs and interest before proceeding.

Tonga’s Court of Appeal has dismissed an appeal by the Crown against a fully suspended sentence imposed on Sau’iluma Guttenbeil, who was convicted of manslaughter at the Supreme Court.

Tonga's Public Service Association Inc. and the Prime Minister Hon ‘Akilisi Pohiva will have to pay $20,000 pa'anga each by way of security to the Supreme Court before their civil action regarding the alleged unlawful payment of Chinese aid money to Friendly Islands Satellite Communication Ltd. (FISC) can proceed to trial.

Tonga’s Court of Appeal heard 11 cases this week with judgements to be delivered on Tuesday, March 31 at the Supreme Court in Nuku'alofa.

A jury trial from April 13-17 in Vava'u will hear an election petition filed against Hon ‘Etuate Lavulavu, the Minister for Infrastructure and Vava’u No.16 People’s Representative to Parliament for alleged illegal practices and bribery.

Lord Tu’iha’ateiho was fined $2,500 pa’anga on one charge of possession of a firearm, a .22 automatic pistol without a license, today at the Nuku’alofa Supreme Court.

The importance of the independence of the judiciary was stated by Tonga's Chief Justice Paulsen yesterday, when he directed that sentencing documents in the case of Lord Tu'ilakepa should be released.