Gordon Ward

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Sir Frederik Gordon Roy Ward OBE is a retired British judge who has served in various countries of the Commonwealth. He was Chief Justice of Tonga and a judge of the Supreme Court of Tonga.[1] He resigned this post in protest at attempts to ban the Times of Tonga newspaper, a paper unsympathetic to the government, a move which he considered to be unconstitutional. On leaving this post, he took up a new position as the Chairman of the Appeal Court of Fiji, which he held until 2007.[2]

Sir Gordon Ward is the current Chief Justice of Tuvalu.[1][2] In May 2013 the Chief Justice ruled on the application of the Tuvaluan Opposition regarding the calling of a by-election for the vacant seat in Nui, which led to the Nukufetau by-election, 2013.[3] The Chief Justice was forced to conduct the legal proceedings by email as a consequence of being unable to travel from New Zealand to Tuvalu via Fiji because he was refused a Fijian visa. The cause of the travel ban is uncertain.[2][4] The Government of Tuvalu believes the problem is between Government of Fiji and Sir Gordon Ward and is seeking to resolve the matter with Fiji’s President.[5]

Sir Gordon Ward has served as a judge on the Court of Appeal of the Solomon Islands.

Sir Gordon Ward was the Chief Justice of the Turks and Caicos Islands. Ward was knighted in the 2012 New Year Honours for services to the judiciary in the Turks and Caicos Islands and the Commonwealth.[6]

References

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 Susan Boyd (2003), "Australian judges at work internationally", Australian Law Journal, vol. 77, p. 303 at 305.
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 "Tuvalu govt yet to address Fiji travel ban on Chief Justice". Radio New Zealand International. 14 August 2013. Retrieved 14 August 2013. 
  3. ↑ Matau, Robert (June 2013). "Tuvalu’s high court orders by-election to be held". Island Business. Retrieved 23 January 2014. 
  4. ↑ "Tuvalu hopes Fiji’s travel ban on chief justice sorted quickly". Radio New Zealand International. 16 August 2013. Retrieved 16 August 2013. 
  5. ↑ "Visa issue between Chief Justice Ward and Fiji Government says Tuvalu PM". Island Business from FENUI NEWS/PACNEWS. 22 January 2014. Retrieved 23 January 2014. 
  6. ↑ The London Gazette: (Supplement) no. 60009. p. 2. 31 December 2011.


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