Attorney General Announces Judicial Appointments

Attorney General Michael Baker has announced the appointment of Jamie Campbell and Anne Derrick as judges to the provincial and family courts.

"These experienced individuals are eminently qualified to serve Nova Scotians, and will contribute to the fair and effective administration of justice," said Mr. Baker.

Mr. Campbell graduated from Dalhousie Law School in 1982 and was called to the bar the following year. Most recently, he was a partner in the Halifax office of Cox Hanson O'Reilly Matheson, where he specialized in employment and labour relations, municipal and planning law and legislative practices.

Ms. Derrick graduated from Dalhousie Law School in 1980 and was called to the bar the following year. As a partner in the firm of Beaton Derrick, her legal practice included public interest and equality litigation, criminal law and social justice advocacy.

Provincial court judges are required to have at least five years experience as a barrister of the Supreme Court of Nova Scotia, and must meet other criteria set by the Advisory Committee on Provincial Judicial Appointments. Committee members include two members of the Nova Scotia Barristers' Society, the chief judges of the provincial and family courts and four laypersons appointed by the minister of Justice.

The provincial court has exclusive jurisdiction over all summary offences under provincial statutes and federal acts and regulations. The family court provides a forum for hearing issues relating to the family including maintenance, custody/access, family violence between spouses or between parent and child and child protection matters. For more information on Nova Scotia courts, see the website at www.courts.ns.ca .