News Release Archive

JUSTICE--PROVINCIAL COURT JUDGES APPOINTED
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Justice Minister Alan Mitchell today announced the appointments
of two provincial court judges. 

D. William MacDonald, QC, of Halifax and William B. Digby, QC, of
Halifax will sit in the metro area.   

Mr. MacDonald received his Bachelor of Commerce and Law Degrees
from Dalhousie University. He was called to the bar in 1968, and
began practising law with the firm Hart and Davis in Dartmouth.   
Mr. MacDonald then embarked upon his career in the public
service, beginning as an assistant prosecuting officer for
Halifax County, and later becoming a solicitor with the Attorney
General's department.   

In 1973, Mr. MacDonald joined the Nova Scotia Legal Aid
Commission, and in 1975, he joined the Legislative Counsel
Office. He became deputy attorney general in 1987. In 1993, Mr.
MacDonald became deputy minister, office of the premier, before
returning to the Department of Justice as deputy minister in
1995. 

Mr. Digby graduated from Dalhousie University with his law degree
in 1971. He was called to the bar in 1972, and began practising
with the City of Halifax. In 1973, he joined the Nova Scotia
Legal Aid Commission where he continued to serve until his
appointment.    

At the Legal Aid Commission, Mr. Digby served in a variety of
managerial positions before taking on the role of executive
director. During his years with the Legal Aid Commission, he
gained extensive experience in all courts in the province and in
the Supreme Court of Canada.  

"Bill MacDonald has served the people of this province with
dedication and compassion, I know he will continue to serve with
honor and integrity," said the minister.   

"Bill Digby is considered to be one of the leading criminal law
practitioners in this province, and he is highly regarded by both
The judiciary and the profession," said Mr. Mitchell.

"I know they both will continue to make a valued contribution to
the legal community in Nova Scotia." 

"We are extremely pleased with the appointments," said acting
Chief Judge Jean-Louis Batiot. "They are highly qualified
candidates, and I look forward to working with them."  

The candidates are recommended by the Advisory Committee on
Provincial Judicial Appointments. This committee consists of two
members appointed by the Nova Scotia Barristers' Society, the
Chief Judges of the Provincial and Family Courts and four lay
persons appointed by the Minister of Justice. The committee
reviews the applicants on a broad range of criteria, which
includes an evaluation of the candidates qualifications,
intellectual and judgemental ability, professional excellence and
community awareness and understanding.

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Contact:  Michele McKinnon
          Department of Justice
          902-424-6811

jlw                      June 11, 1997     10 a.m.