Francis Morland Robin Cooke, KC (born 1965) is a New Zealand lawyer and 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 6061)
Parent
Alma mater

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

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  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.