Chris Craigie Explained

Honorific-Prefix:His Honour Judge
Christopher Craigie
Office:Judge of the District Court of New South Wales
Term Start:15 October 2012
Office1:6th Commonwealth Director of Public Prosecutions
Predecessor1:Damian Bugg
Successor1:Robert Bromwich
Nationality:Australian
Alma Mater:University of New South Wales
Occupation:Barrister, Judge

Christopher Bruce Craigie, also known as Chris Craigie, is a Judge of the District Court of New South Wales and former Commonwealth Director of Public Prosecutions who served in that role between 2007 and 2012.

Biography

Craigie originally studied history, before studying law and becoming one of the first students to graduate in law from the University of New South Wales.[1] He was admitted as a solicitor in 1976 and a barrister in 1980.[2] He was appointed as a public defender in 1994. In 2001 Craigie was appointed Senior Counsel and from 2002–2007 was Deputy Senior Public Defender for NSW.[3]

On 13 October 2007 Craigie was appointed by then-Attorney-General of Australia, Phillip Ruddock as the Commonwealth Director of Public Prosecutions for a seven-year term. Ruddock praised Craigie's extensive career in criminal law and expertise required to supervise Commonwealth criminal prosecutions.

Craigie's time as Commownealth Director of Public Prosecutions, between 13 October 2007 and 12 October 2012, included the prosecution of complex criminal matters relating to terrorism, money laundering, drug trafficking and people smuggling, and included proceeds of crime litigation against David Hicks and a determination that there was insufficient evidence to prosecute Labor MP Craig Thomson after a three-year investigation by Fair Work Australia.[4]

At the conclusion of his term as Director of Public Prosecutions, Craigie was appointed to the District Court of New South Wales and was sworn in on 15 October 2012.

Notes and References

  1. His Honour Judge Chris Craigie SC . Bar News: Journal of the New South Wales Bar Association . 2012 . 28 . Summer 2012–2013 . 80 . 7 September 2019 . [2012] NSWBarAssocNews 28 . PDF.
  2. News: Peatling . Stephanie . Senior defence lawyer to be lead prosecutor . 7 September 2019 . . 23 August 2007.
  3. Web site: Previous Directors . Commonwealth Director of Public Prosecutions . Commonwealth of Australia . 7 September 2019.
  4. News: Merritt . Chris . CDPP's Craigie appointed to District Court . 7 September 2019 . . News Limited . 21 September 2012.