Chief Justice of the Cook Islands
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The Chief Justice of the Cook Islands is the head of the Cook Islands judiciary. They preside over the High Court of the Cook Islands and serve as a member of the Cook Islands Court of Appeal. The office was established by the Cook Islands Constitution.[1][2]
The Chief Justice is appointed by the Queen's Representative on the advice of the Executive Council.[3] They must be qualified to sit on the High Court, meaning that they must have either served as a justice of the High Court of New Zealand, Court of Appeal of New Zealand, or Supreme Court of New Zealand, or have practiced as a barrister in New Zealand or a country with an equivalent legal system for at least seven years.[4] When the position of Chief Justice is vacant, or the holder is absent or incapacitated, the senior judge of the High Court serves as Acting Chief Justice.[5]
The Chief Justice also acts in place of the Queen's Representative if that position is vacant or the appointee is absent or unable to perform their duties.[6]
List of Chief Justices of the Cook Islands
- Gaven Donne (1975–1982)[7]
- Graham Speight (1982–1988)[8]
- Peter Quilliam (1988–2000)[9]
- Laurence Greig (2000–2005)[citation needed]
- David A R Williams (2005 – 13 May 2010)[10]
- Tom Weston (from 13 May 2010 – 2016)[11]
- Sir Hugh Williams (2016–)[12]
References
- ^ Constitution of the Cook Islands, s49(2).
- ^ "Constitution of the Cook Islands". Pacific Islands Legal Information Institute. Archived from the original on 11 July 2006. Retrieved 12 February 2021.
- ^ Constitution of the Cook Islands, s52.
- ^ Constitution of the Cook Islands, s49(3).
- ^ Constitution of the Cook Islands, s51.
- ^ Constitution of the Cook Islands, s7.
- ^ "Sir Gaven Donne KBE". Scoop Media. 30 March 2010. Retrieved 12 February 2021.
- ^ "Former judge Sir Graham Speight dies". Otago Daily Times. 21 July 2008. Retrieved 1 August 2008.
- ^ Taylor, Alister, ed. (2001). New Zealand Who's Who Aotearoa 2001. Auckland: Alister Taylor Publishers. p. 729. ISSN 1172-9813.
- ^ "David A R Williams QC Honoured". Auckland Law School. 26 January 2017. Retrieved 12 February 2021.
- ^ "New Chief Justice sworn in". Cook Islands News. 14 May 2010. Retrieved 12 February 2021.
- ^ "New Chief Justice for Cook Islands". New Zealand Law Society. Retrieved 12 February 2021.