Law lecturer appointed as Queensland Magistrate
The head of CQUniversity’s Law degree has been appointed as a Magistrate of Queensland.
Dr Lance Rundle, who has been working at the University for the past 11 years, officially commenced his new role this week.
The appointment was announced by the Attorney-General and Minister for Justice and Minister for the Prevention of Domestic and Family Violence, The Honourable Yvette D'Ath who said Dr Rundle would first sit in Pine Rivers before moving to Rockhampton.
“Our magistrates courts are among the busiest in the nation and are the court Queenslanders are most likely to encounter at some stage in their lives,” Ms D’Ath said.
“I have no doubt that Dr Rundle will be a great asset to the courts and will serve the community to the highest degree.”
In addition to being an academic, Dr Rundle also worked as a Legal Aid Queensland Legal Practitioner with a wealth of experience in Family Law, Corporations Law, Criminal Law, Consumer Law and Competition and Business Law.
At Legal Aid Queensland Rockhampton, Dr Rundle had diverse responsibilities, including representing clients in children and property order applications, and responses in the Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia.
He has represented parties in applications and hearings in the domestic violence (DFV) court, has been appointed as a Separate Representative in child protection matters, and served as a duty lawyer in the Magistrate Court Children Court, DFV court and child protection callover at the Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia.
CQUniversity’s Dean of the School of Business and Law, Professor Lee Di Milia said Dr Rundle’s appointment was bittersweet.
“This appointment is a fantastic achievement which we are all very proud of, but it is also a sad day as we have to say goodbye to Lance at CQU,” Professor Di Milia said.
During his time at CQU, Dr Rundle has taught into the Bachelor of Laws, Bachelor of Business and Master of Professional Accounting courses.
Dr Rundle officially crossed the graduation stage in Rockhampton today to receive his PhD.
He successfully completed his thesis on duress, undue influence and unconscionable conduct in family law financial agreements under the Family Law Act 1975, identifying practice recommendations and legislative reform that could better protect vulnerable people entering financial agreements.
“Lance has been instrumental in building our Law degree and I would like to take this opportunity to thank him for his service and wish him every success in his judicial career.”
