Notes of Remarks by Sir Robin Cooke, President of the Court of Appeal, on the Taking of the Judicial Oath by Mr Justice Mckay

Abstract

This paper is the notes of Sir Robin Cooke’s remarks at the swearing-in of Mr Justice McKay as a Judge of the Court of Appeal on 10 June 1991. Sir Robin begins by discussing the historical development of the Court of Appeal in New Zealand, which initially comprised the Governor and members of the Executive Council. Sir Robin then comments on Mr Justice McKay’s achievements in the law, before discussing famous judges from other jurisdictions, including Australia and Canada, who have been appointed directly to an appellate court. He concludes by recalling that Mr Justice McKay had been one of his (Sir Robin’s) most outstanding students at Victoria University College. Abstract by Elizabeth Chan.

Keywords: Lord Cooke, judges, Court of Appeal, Mr Justice McKay, direct appointments to appellate courts