Practice Direction No. 1 [1997] TOLawRp 47; [1997] Tonga LR 68 (25 February 1997)

[1997] Tonga LR 68

Practice Direction No.1/1997

Re: Committals to Supreme Court from Preliminary Inquiries in Magistrates' Courts

1. When a Magistrate commits an accused person to the Supreme Court (whether under s.38 or s.42 (5)(c) of the Magistrates' Court Act) such committal will be made by remanding the accused person (whether in custody, or on bail) to appear in the Supreme Court at 9.30 am on the date six weeks from the date of committal.

2. An exception is made for committals from the Magistrates Courts in Vava'u, Ha'apai and 'Eua. There, a committal should be to the date of the first day of the next known circuit session of the Supreme Court in that particular area.

3. Before the nominated date for appearance in the Supreme Court the Crown will lodge in the Supreme Court and serve on the accused (or counsel) the indictment .On the nominated date the accused person, and counsel for all parties must attend.
NUKU'ALOFA, February 25, 1997

(Nigel Hampton)
CHIEF JUSTICE