Professor Peter Spiller appointed District Court Judge

DISTRICT COURT JUDGE: Professor Peter Spiller

From the Waikato Times, 08/08/09

Waikato academic Professor Peter Spiller, who holds six degrees and two doctorates, can now add district court judge to his impressive CV.

At a special sitting of the Hamilton District Court yesterday, more than 100 guests, including 12 judges, attended the swearing-in ceremony.

Acting Chief District Court Judge John Walker said Judge Spiller had made a major contribution as principal disputes referee of the New Zealand Disputes Tribunals.

Judge Spiller was previously Professor of Law at Waikato University and has written extensively on legal history and legal biography.

Yesterday's sitting was filmed for Judge Spiller's parents, who live in South Africa.

Judge Spiller told the gathering that becoming involved in the New Zealand Disputes Tribunals had been life-changing and had allowed him to experience "law in action".

He was described by former university colleagues and students as an exemplary scholar, mentor and teacher.