The Honourable Sir Hugh Williams KNZM, KC, is retiring as the Chief Justice of the Cook Islands. With the expiration of his warrant of appointment the Honourable Justice Patrick Keane CNZM has been appointed as the new Chief Justice. Justice Keane was one of New Zealand’s longest serving Judges before being appointed to the High Court of the Cook Islands in 2016. 

Furthermore, the Honourable Sir Terence Arnold KNZM, KC has been appointed to the Cook Island Court of Appeal, and the Honourable Christopher (“Kit”) Toogood KC has been appointed as a Judge of the High Court. 

The Honourable Sir Hugh Williams stated “these appointments and promotions continue the tradition of the Cook Islands’ judiciary being of the highest calibre and unimpeachable integrity.” 

Ministry of Justice Secretary Tamatoa Jonassen agreed with the retiring Chief Justice’s sentiments. “As a country with a small population, we are incredibly lucky to have such a highly qualified and legally astute judiciary. Although we welcome the new appointments in the Judiciary, we will miss the exceptional leadership and expertise of retiring Chief Justice the Honourable Sir Hugh Williams.”  [End]