Court
The monumental task of fixing our land laws
Sunday 17 March 2024 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Court, Features, Local, National, Parliament, Weekend
The Cook Islands Ministry of Justice is reforming land laws to deal with issues like absentee landowners and fragmented ownership, but the proposals are facing criticism for not being clear and for not respecting traditional customs.
Businesswoman granted name suppression in assault case
Sunday 17 March 2024 | Written by Losirene Lacanivalu | Published in Court, National
A woman who is facing two counts of common assault was granted interim name suppression at the Criminal Court in Avarua on Thursday.
Training boosts Cook Islands’ access to justice
Friday 15 March 2024 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Court, Education, Local, National
The Pacific Justice Sector Programme is providing training and resources to the Cook Islands to improve access to justice, including a new Bench Book for JPs, a Case Tracking System, and a Land Court Bench Book in development.
Clean record, victim’s support help pastor avoid conviction
Friday 15 March 2024 | Written by Losirene Lacanivalu | Published in Court, National
A careless driving case against an ordained pastor was dismissed by the High Court due to the victim’s support and the pastor’s clean record.
Driver fined $700 for drink driving and careless driving
Friday 15 March 2024 | Written by Losirene Lacanivalu | Published in Court, National
A male driver has been ordered to pay a $700 fine after being convicted of excess blood alcohol and careless driving.
Driver guilty of careless driving and refusal of breathalyser test
Wednesday 13 March 2024 | Written by Losirene Lacanivalu | Published in Court, National
A 45-year-old man has been found guilty of driving-related charges by a jury.
JPs enhance skills in decision- making and judgment writing
Wednesday 13 March 2024 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Court, Local, National
Justices of the Peace (JPs) practicing in Cook Islands Court are undertaking training in a workshop focused on decision-making and judgment writing.
Man on trial for crash, refusal of breathalyser
Tuesday 12 March 2024 | Written by Losirene Lacanivalu | Published in Court, National
A Rarotonga man is on trial for careless driving causing injury and refusing a breathalyser test after allegedly causing a motorcycle accident.
‘Landmark decision’: Cook Islands High Court invalidates preferential residency for Kiwis
Monday 11 March 2024 | Written by Losirene Lacanivalu | Published in Court, Economy, Local, National
The Cook Islands High Court has ruled that a residency regulation giving preferential treatment to New Zealand citizens is ‘invalid’.
Dangerous driving charge prompts legal advice
Friday 8 March 2024 | Written by Losirene Lacanivalu | Published in Court, National
A motorist who was charged for dangerous driving and failure to stop has been advised to get a lawyer.
Man on probation seeks passport to visit ill father in Fiji
Wednesday 6 March 2024 | Written by Losirene Lacanivalu | Published in Court, National
A 33-year-old Fijian citizen, Semesa Nalalakiwai, recently sentenced to 16 months’ probation with the first six months on community service, applied for his passport release to visit his ill father in Fiji.
Court discharges woman accused of forging receipt in car purchase
Wednesday 6 March 2024 | Written by Losirene Lacanivalu | Published in Court, National
A woman accused of forging a receipt for a vehicle purchase that never occurred has been discharged of the charge of obtaining by false pretense.
Pastor claims ‘friend’ forged receipts in alleged vehicle scam
Tuesday 5 March 2024 | Written by Losirene Lacanivalu | Published in Court, National
The defendant jury trial of a woman accused of allegedly forging a receipt for a vehicle purchase that never occurred continues at the High Court in Avarua today.
Two involved in Nikao brawl plead guilty
Monday 4 March 2024 | Written by Losirene Lacanivalu | Published in Court, National
Two accused involved in a brawl outside Super Brown supermarket in Nikao on January 28 have both pleaded guilty.
Domestic violence assault earns suspended sentence
Monday 4 March 2024 | Written by Losirene Lacanivalu | Published in Court, National
A man who punched and slapped a woman twice has been given a suspended sentence.
Missing police details lead to dismissal of assault charges
Saturday 2 March 2024 | Written by Losirene Lacanivalu | Published in Court, National
The lack of details in the court case against a man who faced four counts of assaulting a female resulted in the dismissal of two charges against him.
Drink driving crashes result in hefty fines
Saturday 2 March 2024 | Written by Losirene Lacanivalu | Published in Court, National
Justice of the Peace Tangi Taoro presided over drink driving related matters that were presented at the Criminal Court in Avarua this week.
Man avoids reckless driving charge, found guilty of EBA
Wednesday 28 February 2024 | Written by Losirene Lacanivalu | Published in Court, National
A man who was charged for traffic offences more than two years ago was discharged without conviction for careless driving, but convicted for excess blood alcohol.
Driver acquitted of failing to stop, convicted of refusing breathalyser
Tuesday 27 February 2024 | Written by Losirene Lacanivalu | Published in Court, National
A driver who did not stop ‘immediately’ after police lights and sirens were activated was acquitted for failing to stop but convicted for refusing a breathalyser test.
Brawler convicted, sentenced for his part in Nikao scrap
Saturday 24 February 2024 | Written by Al Williams | Published in Court, National
A man involved in a mass brawl on Rarotonga has been convicted and sentenced for his part in the fight.