The Attorney General of Tonga is Tonga's chief law officer, responsible for supervising Tongan law and advising the government on legal matters. Originally a Cabinet position held jointly with the portfolio of Minister of Justice, the office was made independent in 2009. The current Attorney General is Linda Folaumoetu'i.

History and role

The position of

attorney general In most common law jurisdictions, the attorney general or attorney-general (sometimes abbreviated AG or Atty.-Gen) is the main legal advisor to the government. The plural is attorneys general. In some jurisdictions, attorneys general also have exec ...

was established in the

Kingdom of Tonga Tonga (, ; ), officially the Kingdom of Tonga ( to, Puleʻanga Fakatuʻi ʻo Tonga), is a Polynesia, Polynesian country and archipelago. The country has List of islands and towns in Tonga, 171 islands – of which 45 are inhabited. Its tota ...

in 1988. From 1988 to 2009, the Attorney General jointly held the office of Minister of Justice."Minister of Justice and Attorney General resigns"
, Matangi Tonga, 1 June 2009 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 heGovernment’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"''."Neil Adsett appointed as Tonga’s new Attorney General"
''Islands Business'', 24 January 2012

Lists of attorneys general

Tevita Poasi Tupou Tevita Poasi Tupou (born 27 July 1941), styled Lord Tupou of Kolofo’ou, is a Tongan judge and former politician. During his political career, he served as Attorney General, Minister of Justice and Deputy Prime Minister. He also worked as a la ...

(1988–2003) (1st Attorney General who was also referred to as the Minister of Justice) * ʻAisea Taumoepeau (2003–2004) (also Minister of Justice) * 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 Samiu Kuita Vaipulu (born 24 December 1952) is a Tonga Tonga (, ; ), officially the Kingdom of Tonga ( to, Puleʻanga Fakatuʻi ʻo Tonga), is a Polynesian country and archipelago. The country has 171 islands – of which 45 are inhabi ...

(2010–2011) *

Barrie Sweetman Barrie is a city in Southern Ontario, Canada, about north of Toronto. The city is within Simcoe County and located along the shores of Kempenfelt Bay, the western arm of Lake Simcoe. Although physically in Simcoe County, Barrie is politica ...

(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

Australia Australia, officially the Commonwealth of Australia, is a Sovereign state, sovereign country comprising the mainland of the Australia (continent), Australian continent, the island of Tasmania, and numerous List of islands of Australia, sma ...

n 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

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)

(2009–2010) * Clive Edwards (2011–2014) *

Sione Vuna Fa'otusia Sione Vuna Fa'otusia (24 February 1953 – 29 August 2021) was a Tongan politician, Cabinet Minister, and Member of the Legislative Assembly of Tonga who served as the deputy prime minister of Tonga from 2019 to 2020. Personal life Fa'otusia rec ...

(2014–2020)

References

{{reflist Government of Tonga 1998 establishments in Tonga Justice ministries