Qualifications

LLB(hons), University of Canterbury

Admitted: 15 February 1980

Contact details

Email

craig.ruane@gmail.com

Address

Level 5
State Insurance Building
88 Division Street
Riccarton
Christchurch 8440
New Zealand

Phone

03 3663458

Cell

027 3721731

Fax

03 3664570

Postal

PO Box 8408
Riccarton 8440

DX WX11143


Craig Ruane

Craig Ruane

Craig Ruane has practised in Christchurch since graduating from the University of Canterbury in 1978. He spent several years as a litigation partner in a large Christchurch firm, with a broad practice in the litigation area, with an emphasis on criminal and civil advocacy.
He joined the Crown Solicitor's office as an Associate and senior prosecutor in 1998. After 9 years as prosecutor, which included time in East Timor prosecuting War Crimes and Crimes against Humanity, he joined Riverlands Chambers as a barrister in 2007.

Criminal Law and Traffic

As a senior prosecutor with the Crown Solicitor’s office, Craig prosecuted several hundred trials in the District Court and High Court. These included cases of serious sexual offending, complex fraud, serious drugs and violence, and murder. He continues to specialise in criminal and quasi criminal law, prosecution and defence, as well as appeals to the Court of Appeal.

Civil Litigation, Relationship Property, and Estates Litigation

Since joining the independent bar, Craig has regularly appeared as counsel in civil litigation as well as relationship property, and disputes over wills and estates, drawing on advocacy skills honed whilst a prosecutor.

Military Law and Laws of Armed Conflict

Craig has regularly appeared as counsel in Courts Martial of Army, Navy and Air Force personnel. He is one of New Zealand’s most experienced practitioners in this highly specialised area of law.

Publications and Presentations

Director, NZLS Litigation Skills Course 2006 and 2010, and faculty member since 1993
Presenter, NZLS Forensic Science Seminar, 1998 and 2008
Contributor, NZLS Introduction to Advocacy text
Contributor, NZLS Duty Solicitor Manual
Presenter, NZLS Sentencing and Plea Making Workshop (Christchurch, Hamilton, Dunedin, Wellington)
Presenter, NZLS Duty Solicitor and Police Court Practice Workshops, and other NZLS advocacy courses and workshops