Lawyers sworn in at High Court

The court house was packed with the 33 lawyers taking part in the ‘oath of allegiance’ ceremony presided over by Justice Colin Nicholson. There was an air of contained excitement within the court house as the lawyers crowded into the High Court.
Each of the lawyers were seated according to when they had first registered as practicing lawyers with Trevor Clarke taking pride of place as the first to take the oath followed by Iaveta Short, Reuben Tylor, Vincent Ingram, Tina Browne, Tim Arnold, John McFadzien and Mathilda Tairea.
On the other side of the aisle were Henry Puna, Bret Gibson, Janet Maki (Ombudsman) Puai Wichman, Paul Lynch, Brian Mason, Tingika Elikana (Acting Solicitor-General) and Nooapii Tairea (retired Court Registrar). Next were Maara Tetava (deputy Police Commissioner) Lloyd Miles, Leanne Corvette, Charles Little, Charles Petero, Rebecca Short, Martha Henry, Lavenia Rokoika and Nari Crocombe, Marie Francis, Kate Fitzgerald, Turama Hinei Meha, Anthony Brown, Moana Numanga, Junior Ngatokorua, John Takimoa Anaru and Georjean Nicholas.
Justice Nicholson acknowledged the presence of the Justice Minister, Tangata Vavia and Justices of the Peace as well as all the family and friends to witness the ceremony. The judge reminded the lawyers about their high office as officers of the court and how the oath is not just taken because it is a requirement under the Law Practitioners’ Amendment Act which came into force n 1 July 2008 but as a reminder of the importance of compliance with the law.
President of the Cook Islands Law Society, Tingika Elikana congratulated all his colleagues and reiterated the significance of the oath of allegiance to the Queen as a reminder of the importance of upholding the ‘rule of law’.
Congratulations and kia manuia to you all.

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