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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 King'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, the Court of Appeal of New Zealand, or the 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 King's Representative if that position is vacant or the appointee is absent or unable to perform their duties.[6]
- ^ 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.