About the Ministry
MOJ - Introduction
The Ministry of Justice was established to oversee the administration of justice
through the Courts of law. Its primary
function is the provision and maintenance of an equitable justice system for the
country based on the principles of the autonomy of the Judiciary, fairness and genuine
concern for the rights of the individual.
The Minister of Justice is the Head of the Ministry.
The Ministry has four major divisions each contributing significantly to the overall
attainment of the primary function of the Ministry as follows.
The Administration Division is headed by the Secretary of Justice who is also the
Head of the Department. The Division
is responsible for the execution of daily administrative matters, finance, policy
development, legislative review and the provision of an effective administrative
support to the Judiciary to facilitate promoting and maintenance of an accessible justice system for the country.
The Judiciary is headed by the Chief Justice and responsible for the promotion and
maintenance of a fair and equitable justice system through the effective and timely
adjudication of disputes and resolutions regarding questions of law in Courts with appropriate jurisdictions.
The Enforcement Divisions consist of the Bailiff and Probation sections and its primary
function is the execution and enforcement of Court Orders.
Through proper and timely execution of its function the Enforcement Division
contributes significantly to the attainment of a fair and equitable justice system.
The final part of the Ministry or the Civil Registration Division complements the
works of the Ministry and the Judiciary through the storing and provision of accurate vital statistics for Ministerial, Judicial and individual use.
The Ministry has a current staff of 80 including those working at the Judiciary. The main administration office, including
the Bailiff and Probation offices, is located at the capital, Nuku’alofa, at the
corner of Lavinia and Kausela Roads whilst the Judiciary is situated at
Railway Road adjacent to the Legislative Assembly and Talamahu market.
There are Magistrate Courts and offices at Vava’u and Ha’apai operated by
resident Magistrates and support staff. Regular
Magistrate
Court
circuits are made to island locations where there are no resident Magistrates. Supreme Court Judges are stationed only
at Nuku’alofa but conduct regular circuits to the other main islands every year
or when the need arises.
For any queries regarding the functions of the Ministry please contact the Secretary
of
Justice, PO Box 130, Nuku’alofa or facsimile (676) 23 098.