John Brandts-Giesen and Catriona Doyle have been named acting district court judges in Invercargill and in Wellington, respectively, the office of Attorney-General Christopher Finlayson announced.
Both judges will be holding Family Court warrants. Judge Brandts-Giesen will be sworn in on 5 August 2016 in Christchurch while judge Doyle will be sworn in on 18 August 2016 in Wellington.
Brandts-Giesen started his legal career as staff solicitor for Raymond Donnelly in 1976 before becoming a partner in the firm now known as
Lane Neave in 1980. He joined the partnership Brandts-Giesen McCormick Lawyers in 1994.
The Rangiora barrister and solicitor is a specialist in family law, including conducting relationship property and care of children cases and numerous appointments as lawyer for the child.
Doyle commenced practice as a staff solicitor at Burridge & Co in 1993 before joining Thomas Dewar Sziranyi Druce. In 1998, she became a Director of Family Law Specialists Limited before moving to Hope and Associates in 2015.
The Oamaru barrister and solicitor has practised family law in the District Court and High Court, including appointments as lawyer for the child and counsel to assist the court. She also has experience in Hague Convention work.
