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Practice Direction 1 of 1997 (Committals to Supreme Court from Preliminary Inquiries in Magistrates' Courts)

IN THE SUPREME COURT OF TONGA

Practice Direction No. 1/1997

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

Nigel Hampton
CHIEF JUSTICE

NUKU'ALOFA, February 25, 1997.