District Court Judge Geraldine Dann was officially sworn-in on Friday as the new Deputy President of the Queensland Civil and Administrative Tribunal.
Chief Justice Catherine Holmes AC officiated at Judge Dann’s swearing-in, which marked the official commencement of a three-year stint as QCAT’s deputy chief.
Judge Dann takes up the office under the leadership of Queensland’s first woman QCAT President, Justice Kerri Mellifont QC – whose historic appointment saw her become the sixth President of Queensland’s ‘people’s court’ on 22 November last year.
Justice Mellifont said Judge Dann was known for her formidable intellect, her work ethic, and her mature and wise judgment.
Called to the Bar in 2008, Judge Dann gained specialist expertise in industrial law, appearing in a number of high-profile workplace matters, including acting as a junior counsel for the State of Queensland in the stolen wages class action.
Judge Dann was appointed to the Queensland District Court in 2020 after almost three decades’ experience in private legal practice, having practised as both a solicitor and barrister.
Justice Mellifont on 10 December announced that Judge Dann had been selected to “fill the very big shoes” of outgoing Deputy President Judge John Allen QC, who remains a judge of Queensland’s District Court.
Friday’s ceremony carried extra significance in light of the scheduled retirement of Chief Justice Holmes on 19 March.
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