Attorney General Announces Judicial Appointment

Attorney General and Justice Minister Ross Landry has announced the appointment of Paul Scovil as a new judge to the family and provincial courts today, Aug. 2.

"Mr. Scovil has the experience and the background to be an excellent judge," said Mr. Landry. "I am confident he will serve the people of Nova Scotia, and our justice system, well."

Mr. Scovil was called to the Nova Scotia bar in 1982 and has more than 28 years of experience. He has been a Crown prosecutor with the Public Prosecution Service for 14 years. He last worked at its Bridgewater office.

Mr. Scovil was selected from a list of candidates put forth by the Committee on Provincial Judicial Appointments. Committee members include 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 (a charge of murder by an adult accused being the main exception) and 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, go to www.courts.ns.ca .