Francis Cooke (judge)

Francis Cooke
Justice of the Supreme Court of New Zealand
Assumed office
9 February 2026
Justice of the Court of Appeal of New Zealand
In office
19 March 2024 – 8 February 2026
Justice of the High Court
In office
24 April 2018 – 18 March 2024
Personal details
Born1965 (age 60–61)
Parent
Alma mater

Francis Morland Robin Cooke, KC (born 1965) is a New Zealand lawyer and judge.

He has been a judge of the Supreme Court since 2026,[1] having been a judge of the High Court from 2018 to 2024, and a judge of the Court of Appeal from March 2024 to February 2026.[2][3]

Cooke graduated with an LLB(Hons) from Victoria University of Wellington in 1989 and an LLM from the University of Cambridge in 1990.[4]

He is the son of former Law Lord and President of the Court of Appeals Lord Cooke of Thorndon ONZ KBE PC QC. His grandfather Philip Cooke MC QC, was also a judge of what was then the Supreme Court, now the High Court of New Zealand.

References

  1. ^ "Judicial Appointments announced". www.beehive.govt.nz. 21 November 2025. Retrieved 27 November 2025.
  2. ^ "Judicial Appointments announced". The Beehive. Retrieved 22 November 2025.
  3. ^ "Major changes in senior courts as six judges step up". The Post. 20 December 2023. Retrieved 22 November 2025.
  4. ^ "Francis Cooke QC Appointed to High Cour Bench". NZ Law Society. Retrieved 22 November 2025.