COOK ISLANDS - CRIMINAL PROCEDURE ACT 1980-81

PART I - PROCEDURE FOR PROSECUTION OF OFFENCES

53. Presence and appearance of defendant

(3) Every defendant may defend the proceedings personally or be represented by any person entitled to practise as a barrister or solicitor in the Cook Islands or with the leave of the Court (which may at any time be withdrawn) by any other agent.

Article 67
Rights of the accused
1. In the determination of any charge, the accused shall be entitled to a public hearing, having regard to the provisions of this Statute, to a fair hearing conducted impartially, and to the following minimum guarantees, in full equality:
(d) Subject to article 63, paragraph 2, to be present at the trial, to conduct the defence in person or through legal assistance of the accused's choosing, to be informed, if the accused does not have legal assistance, of this right and to have legal assistance assigned by the Court in any case where the interests of justice so require, and without payment if the accused lacks sufficient means to pay for it