CLANT welcomes appointment of David Woodroffe as Acting Judge of the NT Local Court

CLANT is delighted to acknowledge the appointment of NAAJA Principal Legal Officer David Woodroffe as an Acting Judge of the Local Court – the first indigenous person to be appointed to a judicial position in the Northern Territory.

A/Judge Woodroffe is a descendent of the Jingili/Mudburra clans from the Newcastle Waters region. He commenced his legal studies at the (then) Northern Territory University in 1994 and was admitted to practice as a Barrister and Solicitor of the Supreme Court of the Northern Territory in 1999.

For 23 years A/Judge Woodroffe has worked tirelessly as a fierce and fearless advocate for the rights of indigenous people in the Northern Territory legal system. In addition to his strengths in courtroom advocacy A/Judge Woodroffe has mentored and inspired countless junior lawyers, both indigenous and non-indigenous, always emphasising the importance of cultural competence in addition to legal acumen in the delivery legal services to indigenous people.

“The appointment of A/Judge Woodroffe to the Local Court is a truly significant moment for the Northern Territory. A/Judge Woodroffe has already done so much in his career to inspire generations of young indigenous people to pursue a career in law, and his appointment today signals an important milestone in the history of justice in the Territory. He should be incredibly proud of this momentous achievement”  said CLANT President Chrissy McConnel.

 CLANT extends its most sincere congratulations to A/Judge Woodroffe and his family.