Three plaintiffs from two political parties have filed a proceeding with the Supreme Court, Nuku'alofa last week, asking the Court to make a declaration on the sale of the property, 'Atalanga, in Auckland, New Zealand by His Majesty King George Tupou V.
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Results for From the Courts
Tuesday 15 February 2011
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Nuku'alofa, Tonga

Monday 14 February 2011
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Nuku'alofa, Tonga
A Tongan maritime expert who was shown pictures of the MV Princess Ashika vessel a few months before it arrived in Tonga on July 1 2009, told the Supreme Court in Nuku'alofa he had advised the defendant John Jonesse, that the design of the vessel was not suitable for Tongan waters.

Friday 11 February 2011
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Nuku'alofa, Tonga
A second jury of three women and four men was selected this morning February 11 to try four men and the Shipping Corporation of Polynesia Ltd who are charged with manslaughter by negligence in the sinking of the Princess Ashika ferry on August 5, 2009.

Friday 11 February 2011
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Nuku'alofa, Tonga
Paul Karalus, Tonga's former Minister of Transport is to give evidence as one of the 30 witnesses to be called by the Crown during the one month long Ashika trial that begins in Nuku'alofa on Monday, February 14.

Tuesday 8 February 2011
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Nuku'alofa, Tonga
A male prisoner who broke out of Hu'atolitoli Prison in July last year and committed housebreaking, theft and indecent assault while on the run, was sentenced to six years imprisonment by Justice Robert Shuster on February 4.

Tuesday 8 February 2011
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Nuku'alofa, Tonga
THE four men and three women jurors selected for the one month long Ashika trial were discharged this morning because one of the male jurors had a criminal record.
Justice Robert Shuster told the court, that it was brought to his attention that one member of the jurors had a previous conviction and after discussing with counsels, he decided to discharge the whole jury.
He said this was to ensure a fair trial and also to eliminate the possibility of whether discussion or friendship had taken place among them.
The registrar was then ordered to call another panel of jury for selection on the morning of Friday February 11 with opening arguments by counsel on Monday, February 14.
Conviction
The one male juror from Veitongo had a previous conviction in relation to offences during the November 16 riots. It is understood he received a suspended imprisonment sentence at the Supreme Court.
The jury selection held on February 7 did not ask whether the potential jurors had a criminal record and they were asked only whether they had any affiliation with any of the defendants and presiding counsels.
After a local reporter informed the Crown Prosecutor of the jury member having a criminal record, it was then confirmed yesterday by the court.
The jurors selected yesterday were from various communities in Tongatapu.

Monday 7 February 2011
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Nuku'alofa, Tonga
A jury of three women and four men from Tongatapu was selected this morning in the Nuku'alofa Supreme Court to try four men and the SCP charged with manslaughter by negligence in the sinking of the Princess Ashika ferry in 2009, in a trial that is expected to last for a month.

Saturday 5 February 2011
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Nuku'alofa, Tonga
The trial of Liu Lirong (45) for trafficking persons into Tonga, trading in prostitution and keeping a brothel ended at the Nuku'alofa Supreme Court on Friday, February 4.

Thursday 3 February 2011
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Nuku'alofa, Tonga
The Ashika jury trial scheduled to start on Monday, February 7 will be held at Parliament House beside the Supreme Court in Nuku'alofa.

Wednesday 2 February 2011
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Nuku'alofa, Tonga
LIU Lirong (45) a woman charged with seven counts of trafficking persons in Tonga, keeping a brothel and trading in prostitution gave evidence for the first time on February 1 when she denied the prostitution claimed by the two victims and denied that she received payment for the sexual services.

Wednesday 2 February 2011
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Nuku'alofa, Tonga
'Inoke Tu'alau Motu'apuaka (60) commonly known as Motu'apuaka of Te'ekiu pleaded not guilty to one count of importing the illicit steroid drugs anabolic and androgenic to Tonga in January last year.

Wednesday 2 February 2011
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Nuku'alofa, Tonga
The trial of a 42-year-old man charged for attempted robbery in a shooting at the Yellow Pier wharf in Nuku'alofa last April, is adjourned for two weeks.

Monday 31 January 2011
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Nuku'alofa, Tonga
A 20-year-old male offender, Fakalesi Mafi, will serve a one- year imprisonment for abetment to an armed robbery where his co-accused beat up a shop owner with a rock and fled with $1,000 cash.

Saturday 29 January 2011
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Nuku'alofa, Tonga
Six candidates for the 2010 Parliamentary Election who failed to lodge an election spending statement were each fined $500 pa'anga each at the Fasi Magistrate's Court on Friday, January 28. While summons have been issued on another six candidates on the same charge.

Friday 28 January 2011
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Nuku'alofa, Tonga
The Preliminary Inquiry for the former Speaker of the Legislative Assembly Lord Tu'ilakepa, who is charged with illegal firearms, ammunitions and illicit drugs offences, begins on April 26 at the Fasi Magistrate's Court.

Monday 24 January 2011
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Nuku'alofa, Tonga
Lord Tu'ilakepa, the former Speaker of the Tonga Legislative Assembly, is to appear at the Fasi Magistrate's Court on Thursday, January 27 on charges relating to illegal firearms, illegal ammunitions and illicit drugs.

Tuesday 18 January 2011
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Nuku'alofa, Tonga
The Prime Minister of Tonga Lord Tu'ivakano was dismissed on one count of reckless driving due to insufficient evidence in a judgement delivered by Magistrate Salesi Mafi at the Fasi Magistrate's Court this morning, January 18.

Tuesday 18 January 2011
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Nuku'alofa, Tonga
The new Speaker of the House Lord Lasike is set to appear at the Fasi Magistrate's Court on April 19 for a Preliminary Inquiry on one count of possession of an illegal firearm.

Monday 17 January 2011
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Nuku'alofa, Tonga
The Ashika manslaughter trials are set to begin in the Nuku'alofa Supreme Court on February 7, before Justice Robert Schuster.

Monday 17 January 2011
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Nuku'alofa, Tonga
The trial of Liu Lirong for trafficking persons, trading in prostitution and keeping a brothel in Nuku'alofa was adjourned to January 31, following the conclusion of the Crown's evidence this morning.
