Sir John Hugh Williams (born 23 September 1939), generally known as Hugh Williams, is a former president of the Electoral Commission (New Zealand), New Zealand Electoral Commission and a retired judge of the High Court of New Zealand. From 2016 to 2022 he was Chief Justice of the Cook Islands.

Early life

Williams was educated at Wellington College (New Zealand), Wellington College and Gisborne Boys' High School, and graduated with an Master of Laws, LLM (Hon) degree from Victoria University of Wellington.

Career

Williams was appointed a List of King's and Queen's Counsel in New Zealand, Queen's Counsel in 1988 and a High Court Justice in 1997. He was the Senior Puisne Judge and was a Master (Associate Judge) of the High Court for 6 previous years. He was the longest serving Judge based at the High Court of New Zealand at Auckland for many years, until he retired on 22 September 2009. Williams was the Criminal List Judge for Auckland, and presided over many high-profile trials, including the 2007 trials of Darin Gardner and Roger Kahui. Williams was Chancellor of Massey University from 1990 to 1997, and a city councillor for Palmerston North City from 1983 to 1989. He is a former president of the New Zealand Law Society, and a current trustee of the Kea Conservation Trust. In 2009, he was appointed president of the Electoral Commission and succeeded Andrew McGechan. In 2010, he became chair of the new Electoral Commission (New Zealand), Electoral Commission. After serving from 2009 as a Cook Islands High Court judge he was appointed in 2016 Chief Justice of the Cook Islands. He retired as Chief Justice in December 2022 and was replaced by Patrick Keane (New Zealand judge), Patrick Keane.

Honours

Williams was conferred an honorary doctorate (Doctor of Letters, DLit) by Massey University in 1998. In the 2010 Birthday Honours (New Zealand), 2010 Queen's Birthday Honours, Williams was appointed an Additional New Zealand Order of Merit, Knight Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit, for services as a judge.

References

{{DEFAULTSORT:Williams, Hugh Living people 1939 births New Zealand jurists High Court of New Zealand judges New Zealand King's Counsel 20th-century King's Counsel Victoria University of Wellington alumni People educated at Gisborne Boys' High School Chancellors of Massey University Knights Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit People educated at Wellington College (New Zealand) Chief justices of the Cook Islands