FUNCTIONS OF THE MINISTRY
Policy Advice
The Ministry is responsible for the provision of policy advice on all justice sector matters including relevant legislative issues to the Prime Minister and Cabinet through the Minister of Justice. The Minister chairs the Cabinet Law Committee and is the conduit between Parliament and Government on legislation created or proposed for amendment.
Provide Support
The Ministry provides all support services to the judiciary (Court of Appeal, Supreme Court, Land Court, Magistrate's Court) and Court related functions (Probation and Bailiff divisions).
Civil Registration
The Ministry maintains and operates the national system of civil registration for the people of Tonga (Office of the Registrar General).
addtional services
JUDICAL SERVICES
To provide staff and administrative services which promote the effective and timely adjudication of disputes and resolution of questions of law in Court with appropriate jurisdiction.
ENFORCEMENT SERVICES
To provide court services which ensure the effective implementation of court operational procedures, and effective enforcement of Court judgements in all court decisions.
CIVIL REGISTRATION
To register, maintain and promote the provision of accurate vital statistics records and archiving of births, deaths, marriages, changes of names, etc.in the Kingdom.
FREE & FAIR ELECTION
It also provides oversight of the independent bodies which, enforce and implement free and fair elections (Electoral Commision), the Anti-Corruption Commission (which has yet to come into force) and impartial intermediaries between the public and government, i.e the Commissioner for Public Relations (Ombudsman's Office). All these bodies operate independently from Government, but for certain administrative and budgetary matters are linked to the MINISTRY OF JUSTICE.
THE MINISTRY
The Ministry proper consists of the Minister of Justice and a Chief Executive Officer, Leadership and Legal Policy Division, Corporate Services Division, Office of the Registrar General, Superior Courts, Magistrate's Court, Bailiff and Probation Division.