Supreme Court action between Tonga’s National Rugby League and the government has been withdrawn.
Earlier this month Justice Laki Niu declared the government and the RLIF-endorsed interim body Tonga Ma’a Tonga Rugby League were “restrained and prohibited” from making decisions involving Tonga’s national rugby league team.
The ruling clashed with a recent suspension of the Tongan National Rugby League by the world governing body – Rugby League International Federation.
This followed a declaration by Tonga’s then-acting Prime Minister Semisi Sika declared the local body had lost the trust and support of the government, clubs and players.
The suspension led to the TNRL, whose board was elected this year, launching legal action against the Tongan government and the TMTRL.
The matter was adjourned on October 18 to allow both sides to file further affidavits by October 24.
The TRNL’s lawyer, Clive Edwards, told the court that his client had been given a copy of a Cabinet decision dated September 26.
The government had agreed to revisit the issue of the governance of rugby league and its endorsement of any particular body.
The government had agreed to give the TRNL a chance to be heard on the issue.
On that basis the TRNL had agreed to withdraw its proceedings.
Lord Chief Justice Whitten ruled that orders made by Justice Niu be dissolved.
The main points
- Supreme Court action between Tonga’s National Rugby League and the government has been withdrawn.
- Earlier this month Justice Laki Niu declared the government and the RLIF-endorsed interim body Tonga Ma’a Tonga Rugby League were “restrained and prohibited” from making decisions involving Tonga’s national rugby league team.
For more information
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