Celebrate Law - Law Week 2007 The public had the rare opportunity to learn more about Tonga’s laws and have their questions answered free of charge when legal representatives hit the streets on Monday 12 November 2007 as part of the Inaugural Law Week. One Crown counsel and one private lawyer were be stationed in an information marquee at the Tungi Arcade Space on Taufa’ahau Road throughout Law Week. The initiative, which ran for a week from as part of the first ever Law Week (11-16 November 2007) consultative program, is a joint effort by the Ministry of Justice, Crown Law Department and the Tonga Law Society (TLS) to inform as many people possible on all aspects of law. “We are encouraging everyone to stop by. This is a good opportunity to get a feel of what law is all about – without the charge,” a member of the TLS said today. Officers from the Justice Department were also on hand to provide information so that any queries and concerns from marriage licenses to registering a business could be addressed. Teams also visited other districts on Tuesday evening at Tu’ivakano Hall in Nukunuku, the Church of Tonga Hall in Pea, the Tonunga Hall in Lapaha, and Moulton Hall in Nuku’alofa. Monday morning’s team said the majority of queries from the public focused on the Land Act, suggesting it is a priority concern in Tonga. However all facets of the law were being addressed during the week’s program. Monday’s theme, “Mediation and Alternative Dispute Resolution”, was followed by “Family Law” on Tuesday, “How Laws are Made” on Wednesday, “Courts – your rights and responsibilities” on Thursday and “Law for Order and Safety” on Friday. Four schools participated on the final day’s events held at the Queen Salote Memorial Hall and broadcast live on FM 90. Queen Salote College won both the Quiz and Debate Competitions and all participants from ‘Apifo’ou College, Tonga College ‘Atele and Tonga High School took home vouchers from Dataline Systems. Filitonu once again brought the house down with their comical skits. Law Week also included informative television programs, a World Bank funded workshop, competitions and tours of Tonga’s Legislative Assembly and our courts. With sponsorship from Dataline Systems, Embassy of the People’s Republic of China, Island Technology, MBf Bank, New Zealand High Commission, Toloke Enterprises, Good Samaritan Inn, Tonga Pure Water and Westpac Bank of Tonga, this is a concerted effort by both Government and private lawyers who are a part of the TLS to Celebrate Law – Law Week’s theme. Professional PR was honoured to have assisted with the first ever Law Week and thanks participants, sponsors and everyone who supported this fantastic initiative.