David Williams

Sir David Arthur Rhodes Williams (born 17 April 1941) is a New Zealand lawyer, jurist, and international arbitrator. From 2005 to 2010 he served as Chief Justice of the Cook Islands.

Early life and family Williams was born in Auckland on 17 April 1941, the son of Trevor Rhodes Williams and Eileen (Elaine) Frances Sarah Williams. He was educated at Mount Albert Grammar School, and went on to study law at the University of Auckland, graduating with a Bachelor of Laws degree in 1965.

In 1969, Williams married Gail Jocelyn Watt, and the couple had two children.

Williams was a visiting scholar at the University of Virginia Law School in 1979, and was also a part-time lecturer in law at the University of Auckland. He later served as president of the Cook Islands Court of Appeal, and drafted the Cook Islands' Arbitration Act 2009.

In the 2017 New Year Honours, Williams was appointed a Knight Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit, for services to international law and international arbitration.