News release

New Judge Appointed for Halifax

Justice

Daniel MacRury is Nova Scotia's newest provincial and family court judge in Halifax.

Mr. MacRury was called to the bar in 1986 and has 27 years of experience. Most recently, he was the chief Crown attorney with the Public Prosecution Service in Cape Breton. He was named Queen's Counsel in 2005 and has been recognized with many awards for his leadership in the profession and the justice system.

"I'm very pleased to appoint Mr. MacRury to the bench," said Attorney General and Justice Minister Lena Metlege Diab. "He has almost three decades of legal experience and has helped move provincial and national legal issues, like cyberbullying, forward. He will continue to be a valuable part of Nova Scotia's justice system in his new role."

Judges are appointed to both the provincial and family courts to allow flexibility in dealing with court workloads.

They are selected from a list of candidates put forth by the Committee on Provincial Judicial Appointments. The committee includes two members of the Nova Scotia Barristers' Society, judges of the provincial and family courts, and four members appointed by the Minister of Justice. The committee recommendations are based on criteria in the Guidelines for Provincial Judicial Appointments.

The provincial court presides over almost all indictable offence charges under the Criminal Code, except for adult homicide charges. It also has exclusive jurisdiction over all summary offence charges under provincial and federal statutes and regulations.

The family court provides a forum to hear family issues, including maintenance, custody and access, and child protection matters.

For more information on Nova Scotia courts, visit www.courts.ns.ca .