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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 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]

• Sir Gaven Donne (1975–1982)^[7]
• Sir Graham Speight (1982–1988)^[8]
• Sir 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 (2016–2022)^[12]
• Patrick Keane (2022—)^[13]