Chief Justice of the Cook Islands

Cook Islands
This article is part of a series on the politics and government of the Cook Islands
Monarch Elizabeth II Queen's Representative Tom Marsters Prime Minister Henry Puna Cabinet Parliament Speaker: Niki Rattle House of Ariki President: Tou Travel Ariki Political parties Recent elections General: 2006 2010 2014
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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]

The Chief Justice is appointed by the Queen's Representative on the advice of the Executive Council.^[2] 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.^[3] 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.^[4]

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.^[5]

List of Chief Justices of the Cook Islands

This list is incomplete.

• Gaven Donne (1975–82)
• Graham Speight (1982–88)
• Peter Quilliam
• Laurie Greig
• David A R Williams (2005 – 13 May 2010)
• Thomas Crowley Weston (from 13 May 2010)

References