Chief Justice of the Cook Islands

Cook Islands

This article is part of the series: Politics and government of the Cook Islands

Constitution Queen Elizabeth II Queen's Representative Sir Frederick Goodwin KBE Prime Minister Henry Puna Cabinet Parliament Speaker Geoffrey Henry House of Ariki President Tou Travel Ariki Political parties Elections: 2006, 2010

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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 - 1982)
• Graham Speight (1982 - 1988)
• Peter Quilliam
• Laurie Greig
• David A R Williams (2005 - 13 May 2010)
• Thomas Crowley Weston (from 13 May 2010)

References

1. ^ Constitution of the Cook Islands, s49(2).
2. ^ Constitution of the Cook Islands, s52.
3. ^ Constitution of the Cook Islands, s49(3).
4. ^ Constitution of the Cook Islands, s51.
5. ^ Constitution of the Cook Islands, s7.