Court reserves decision on tribunal process

National

THE Supreme Court has reserved its decision on a reference on constitutional questions relating to the leadership tribunal process.
The reference arose after Parliament amended the Organic Law on the Duties and Responsibilities of Leadership in 2006.
That amendment changed the format of a Leadership Tribunal to make it more legally formal and strictly follow rules of evidence in a Leadership Tribunal.
The reference also sought the court’s interpretation of the conflicting Supreme Court decisions on when does the suspension of a leader occur when he or she is referred.
The court heard from the lawyer representing the Ombudsman Commission Dr Vergil Narokobi that there were three constitutional questions referred to the Supreme Court for its deliberations.
The reference was heard on Wednesday by a  five-man bench consisting  of Chief Justice Sir Salamo Inia, Justice Nicholas Kirriwom, Justice Elenas Batari, Justice Ambeng Kandakasi and Justice David Cannings.
The court also heard submissions by Queens Counsel Greg Egan acting for Kawat Lawyers representing the Speaker of Parliament and Twivey Lawyers representing Prime Minister Peter O’Neill.