8 Nov 2007

Regional appeal court plan to be discussed in Tonga

7:27 pm on 8 November 2007

The Judicial Conference in Tonga is discussing whether a court of appeal should be established for all the Pacific nations.

Justice Gerald Winter, who presented a paper looking at the issue, said that he will be discussing it with other judges and Chief Justices.

He said small Pacific Island states have a lot of external and internal threats and establishing one overall final court of appeal for the all Pacific countries might help them cope with those threats and challenges.

The 17th Pacific Judicial Conference concludes tomorrow with the judges deliberating on how to come to grips with customary and country Law.