Attorney General of Tonga

History and role

The position of attorney general was established in the Kingdom of Tonga in 1988. From 1988 to 2009, the Attorney General jointly held the office of Minister of Justice.

The Attorney-General is "First Law Officer for the Government of the Kingdom of Tonga". its responsibilities include providing legal advice, drafting legislation, and conducting prosecutions and representing the crown in civil matters, as well as "supporting constitutional integrity and governance" and "facilitating [the] Government’s lawful and responsible legal dealings"

Following constitutional reforms in January 2012, the Attorney General is reportedly :"the principal legal advisor to Cabinet and Government, and with the Solicitor General and other law officers will be responsible for prosecutions and legal cases for and against the government, the drafting of legislation for the Government and parliament, and generally for ensuring that the Constitution and laws of Tonga are understood and upheld by Government and individuals".

Lists of attorneys general

• Tevita Poasi Tupou (1988–2003) (1st Attorney General who was also referred to as the Minister of Justice)
• ʻAisea Taumoepeau (2003–2004) (also Minister of Justice)
• Baron Fielakepa (2004)
• Siaosi Taimani ʻAho (2004–2006) (also Minister of Justice)
• ʻAlisi Afeaki Taumoepeau (2006–2009) (first female Minister of Justice & Attorney General; Wife of ʻAisea Taumoepeau)
• John Cauchi (2009–2010)
• Samiu Vaipulu (2010–2011)
• Barrie Sweetman (2012) (Interim Attorney General)
• Neil Adsett (2012–2014)
• ʻAminiasi Kefu (2014–2019) (Acting)
• Linda Folaumoetu'i (2019–)

John Cauchi, appointed in May 2009, was the first Attorney General not to hold the portfolio of Justice Minister. He was also the first non-Tongan to hold the office, being an Australian citizen. He resigned the position on 30 April 2010. It is not currently clear how many people held the position between Cauchi's resignation and Sweetman's appointment. In early 2011, the CIA Factbook stated the Attorney General was ʻAsipeli ʻAminiasi Kefu. However this may have been an error, as other sources described Kefu as the Solicitor General. Minister for Justice Samiu Vaipulu was the Attorney General just prior to Sweetman's appointment; the latter thus disassociated the two positions, which had once again been combined in a single person.

As of August 2011, the Kingdom has had at least seven Attorneys General. Matangi Tonga has noted that three of the country's Attorneys General (namely Tupou and both Taumoepeaus) "have been told to resign".

List of ministers of justice (post–2009)

• Samiu Vaipulu (2009–2010)
• Clive Edwards (2011–2014)
• Sione Vuna Fa'otusia (2014–2020)

References

References

1. [http://www.matangitonga.to/article/tonganews/government/20090601_attorneygen_alisi_taumoepeau.shtml "Minister of Justice and Attorney General resigns"] {{webarchive. link. (27 May 2011 , Matangi Tonga, 1 June 2009)
2. "Functions and Duties". Attorney-General's Office.
3. [https://archive.today/20130126162100/http://www.islandsbusiness.com/news/index_dynamic/containerNameToReplace=MiddleMiddle/focusModuleID=130/focusContentID=27006/tableName=mediaRelease/overideSkinName=newsArticle-full.tpl "Neil Adsett appointed as Tonga’s new Attorney General"], ''Islands Business'', 24 January 2012
4. "Chiefs of State and Cabinet members of foreign governments / National Foreign Assessment Center. 1990.".
5. "Crown Law".
6. Turner, B.. (2016-12-27). "The Statesman's Yearbook 2004: The Politics, Cultures and Economies of the World". Springer.
7. Turner, B.. (2017-02-07). "The Statesman's Yearbook 2005: The Politics, Cultures and Economies of the World". Springer.
8. (25 September 2004). "Tongan King appoints third justice minister in two months". [[RNZ]].
9. (2004-09-24). "Siaosi Taimani 'Aho appointed Attorney General, Minister of Justice". Matangitonga.
10. "TONGA'S JUSTICE MINISTER, ATTORNEY GENERAL RESIGNS {{!}} Pacific Islands Report".
11. Administrator. "PROFILE: Hon. Samiu Kuita Vaipulu".
12. (2011-08-04). "Tonga MPs want action on illegality of deputy PM holding attorney general post". [[Radio New Zealand]].
13. "Mr. Neil Adsett appointed as Tonga's new Attorney General {{!}} Planet Tonga".
14. (2012-03-18). "Attorney General Neil Adsett, appointed Senior Counsel". Matangitonga.
15. "Tonga's Attorney General Steps Down {{!}} Pacific Islands Report".
16. (23 June 2014). "Tonga's Attorney General to step down". [[RNZ]].
17. (2019-04-03). "Tonga gets first female Attorney General".
18. [http://www.matangitonga.to/article/tonganews/law/2009020609_cauchi_attorneygen_tong.shtml "Tonga's new Attorney General"] {{webarchive. link. (27 May 2011 , Matangi Tonga, 2 June 2009)
19. (30 April 2010). "Tonga's Attorney General quits accusing Govt of protecting cronies". [[Radio Australia]].
20. [https://web.archive.org/web/20070612234526/https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/world-leaders-1/world-leaders-t/tonga.html Tonga: Cabinet members], CIA World Factbook, 31 January 2011
21. [http://www.radioaustralia.net.au/pacbeat/stories/201109/s3307925.htm "Tonga's opposition welcomes foreign legal appointees"], Radio Australia, 1 September 2011
22. "Edwards Law Tonga".
23. Cocker, Albert. "Our Staff".