§ Mr. BeithTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs when the Pitcairn Island criminal cases which are to be tried in New Zealand are expected to be heard; what discussions his Department have held with the Pitcairn(a) Chief Justice and (b) Supreme Court on this matter; and if he will list those who occupy the positions of (i) Lord Chief Justice and (ii) judges of the Pitcairn Supreme Court. [144117]
§ Mr. Mike O'BrienNo date has yet been fixed for the trials, and no discussions have taken place between the Governor and the Chief Justice on their timing. It would be inappropriate to do so at present since the Supreme Court is still hearing preliminary arguments.
The Chief Justice of the Pitcairn Supreme Court is Judge Charles Blackie. The other two Supreme Court judges are Judge Jane Lovell-Smith and Judge Russell Johnson.