The Attorney-General, Hon Christopher Finlayson (himself a former debater) announced today that NZSDC life-member Claire Ryan has been appointed a judge of the District Court.
Judge Ryan has practised for over 26 years, including five years in Australia, working extensively in the areas of criminal law, family law and child protection. She has regularly appeared in the Youth, District and High Courts and she has been the team leader for the Youth and Family Court team at Meredith Connell.
Claire is well known to New Zealand debaters as a regular judge at the Auckland, Northland, Waikato and New Zealand Schools’ Debating Championships. On the world stage, she has been a Chief Adjudicator of the World Schools’ Debating Champs, the Secretary of the World Council and is the current Chair of the Council.
NZSDC congratulates Claire on her appointment and wishes her all the best in her new role.
