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Practice Direction 1 of 1994 (Senior Counsel)

TONGA

Practice Direction No.1 of 1994

Senior Counsel

For the purposes of taxation of costs, it is necessary to define clearly the practitioners entitled to claim the rate for Senior Counsel.

In future, Senior Counsel rates will be paid only to:

1. The Attorney General and Solicitor General whilst holding that office.

2. Any Queen's or King's Counsel from Australia, New Zealand, United Kingdom or Republic of Ireland.

3. Any other fully qualified practitioner of at least 10 years qualification and experience in practice or relevant employment who has been certified as Senior Counsel by the Chief Justice.

For the purposes of paragraph 3, any practitioner who considers he may be eligible may apply in writing to the Chief Justice for consideration. Such application should be supported by an affidavit setting out relevant details of the applicant's qualifications and practical experience.

Applications will be considered once each year and announced on 1st January. Applications for this year must be made before 28 January 1994 and will be announced on 1st February 1994.

This direction does not affect the right of a judge of the Supreme Court to allow an increase in the rates in any particular case.

Gordon Ward
CHIEF JUSTICE

NUKU'ALOFA 5th January 1994.