30 December 2010 A special Investiture of the New Year's Honour ceremony was held at the Royal Palace
this morning at 1100 Hrs, 30 December, 2011 to honor the Lord Chief Justice,
the Honorable Michael Dishington Scott.
The Investiture of the New Year's Honour began this morning when the Chief Justice Hon Michael Dishington Scott was received in audience at the Royal Palace and awarded the honour of a Grand Officer of the Royal Household Order.
Justice Scott is from the United Kingdom and has lived and worked in the Pacific islands including Fiji, Kiribati and the Solomon Islands, since 1978. He has served as a Judge of the High Court of Fiji for 14 years from 1990 to 2004 before being appointed as the Resident Justice of the Fiji Court of Appeal for 3 years from 2004 to 2007.
Justice Scott has been involved in most areas of the administration of justice, and has acquired a detailed knowledge and understanding of the constitutional and judicial systems of Pacific Island countries. He brings that wealth of experience with him to the high office of the Chief Justice of Tonga.
Justice Scott was appointed as Chief Justice on 27 August this year, who replaced Justice Antony Ford who has recently left to take up a post in the Employment Court of New Zealand.
The investiture of the New Year's Honour will continue this evening with the appointment of the Life peers, Lord Matoto, Lord Sevele and Lord Tangi.
ENDS
Issued by the: Ministry of Information and Communications, Nuku'alofa, 2010.
