The National Reserve Bank of Tonga reported that the Supreme Court refused its application to strike out the Anti-Corruption Commission’s statement of claim, which raised issues about the scope of the Commission’s powers under the Anti-Corruption Commissioner Act. The bank had applied on 20 May 2025 to strike out all or parts of the claim, arguing that the Commission lacked authority to compel production of documents for an investigation and then, without warning, use those compelled documents to pursue a judicial review. The underlying judicial review relates to the bank’s decision to pay staff a $5,000 award per employee, regardless of rank, to mark its 35th anniversary in September 2024, excluding the Board of Directors. The bank said it will seek leave to appeal the decision to the Court of Appeal of Tonga.
National Reserve Bank of Tonga 2025-07-03
National Reserve Bank of Tonga to seek appeal after Supreme Court refuses bid to strike out Anti-Corruption Commission claim
The National Reserve Bank of Tonga's application to strike out the Anti-Corruption Commission's statement of claim was refused by the Supreme Court, which questioned the Commission's powers under the Anti-Corruption Commissioner Act. The bank plans to appeal the decision, which involves a judicial review of its $5,000 staff award for its 35th anniversary.