Supreme Court of Newfoundland and Labrador

Last updated
Supreme Court of Newfoundland and Labrador
Royal Coat of Arms of the United Kingdom (HM Government).svg
Coat of Arms of the Supreme Court [1]
Established1730
Jurisdiction Newfoundland and Labrador
Composition methodappointed by the federal government
Authorized byAll criminal and civil proceedings [2]
Appeals to Court of Appeal of Newfoundland and Labrador
Judge term lengthmandatory retirement by age of 75
Number of positions27
Website court.nl.ca/supreme/index.html
Chief Justice of the Supreme Court
Currently Raymond P. Whalen
Since11 December 2014

The Supreme Court of Newfoundland and Labrador is the superior court for the Canadian province of Newfoundland and Labrador. The Supreme Court has jurisdiction to hear appeals in both criminal and civil matters from the Provincial Court and designated boards and administrative tribunals. The court also hear serious criminal cases in the first instances, matters of probate, and family law matters.

Contents

The Supreme Court consists of 28 judicial seats including the position of Chief Justice. Of the current justices, 8 sit with supernumerary status. [3]

About the Court

South facade of the St. John's Court House. Court House St John Newfoundland (41364930021).jpg
South facade of the St. John's Court House.

The Court is composed of the General Division and Family Division, and has the authority to hear a wide range of cases including civil and criminal matters, matters of estates and guardianship, and family matters. The Court has the authority to hear appeals of specific matters not under jurisdiction of the province's appellate court.

The Court is located in six regions of the province: Corner Brook (3 justices), Gander (1 justice), Grand Bank (1 justice), Grand Falls-Windsor (1 justice), Happy Valley-Goose Bay (1 justice), and St. John's (21 justices). [4] [5]

Current justices

NameAppointedDivisionAppointed byPrior position(s)
Chief Justice Raymond P. WhalenJune 19, 2008 (Trial)
December 11, 2014 (CJ)
TrialHarper
Justice Richard LeBlancJune 20, 2000FamilyChretien
Justice Valerie L. MarshallApril 29, 2009TrialHarperSolo Practitioner
Justice Robert P. Stack [6] November 30, 2009TrialHarperCox & Palmer (1984 to 2009)
Justice Deborah J. PaquetteJune 18, 2010TrialHarper
Justice Rosalie McGrath [7] May 31, 2012FamilyHarper
Justice Donald H. Burrage [8] October 5, 2012TrialHarper
Justice Laura A. Mennie [9] March 9, 2014FamilyHarperProvincial court (2012 to 2014)
Newfoundland Department of (2007 to 2012)
Legal Aid (1994 to 2007)
Poole, Althouse (1993 to 1994)
Justice George L. Murphy [10] April 10, 2014FamilyHarperPoole Althouse (1992 to 2014)
Justice Jane M. Fitzpatrick [11] March 27, 2015FamilyHarper
Justice Cillian D. Sheahan [12] June 20, 2015FamilyHarper
Justice Sandra R. Chaytor [13] May 12, 2017TrialTrudeauCox & Palmer
Justice Frances J. Knickle [13] May 12, 2017TrialTrudeauActing Director of Public Prosecutions with the Newfoundland and Labrador Department
Justice Vikas Khaladkar [14] October 20, 2017TrialTrudeau
Justice Alexander S. MacDonald [15] November 9, 2017FamilyTrudeau
Justice Daniel Boone [16] November 2, 2018TrialTrudeau
Justice Michelle CoadyMarch 26, 2019FamilyTrudeau
Justice Katherine O'BrienMarch 26, 2019TrialTrudeau
Justice Glen NoelMay 21, 2019TrialTrudeau
Justice Peter BrowneMarch 24, 2021TrialTrudeau
Justice Irene MuzychkaMarch 24, 2021TrialTrudeau
Justice Trudy ButtonMarch 24, 2021TrialTrudeau
Justice Stacy RyanMarch 24, 2021TrialTrudeau

Supernumerary

NameDate appointedDivisionAppointed byPrior Position(s)
Justice Kendra J. GouldingJune 5, 2002TrialChretien
Justice Alphonsus E. FaourNovember 5, 2003Trial
Justice Maureen A. DunnOctober 4, 1994Trial
Justice James P. AdamsAugust 7, 1996Trial
Justice Garrett A. Handrigan [13] March 27, 2001Trial
Justice Carl R. Thompson [13] December 4, 2001Trial

See also

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References

  1. The Court continues to use the Royal Arms of the United Kingdom to identify itself, though it achieved dominion status in 1907 and joined Canada as a province in 1949.
  2. "Judicature Act". Newfoundland and Labrador House of Assembly. Retrieved 16 February 2019.
  3. Number of Federally Appointed Judges
  4. "Court Locations". Supreme Court of Newfoundland and Labrador. Retrieved 16 February 2019.
  5. "Judiciary by Region". Supreme Court of Newfoundland and Labrador. Retrieved 17 February 2019.
  6. "Newfoundland and Labrador Judicial Appointment Announced". Government of Canada – Department of Justice. November 27, 2009. Archived from the original on January 29, 2010. Retrieved 17 February 2019.
  7. "Newfoundland and Labrador Judicial Appointment Announced". Government of Canada – Department of Justice. June 1, 2012. Retrieved 17 February 2019.
  8. "Newfoundland and Labrador Judicial Appointment Announced". Government of Canada – Department of Justice. October 5, 2012. Retrieved 17 February 2019.
  9. "Supreme Court of Newfoundland and Labrador Judicial Appointments Announced". Government of Canada – Department of Justice. January 31, 2014. Retrieved 17 February 2019.
  10. "Newfoundland and Labrador Judicial Appointment Announced". Government of Canada – Department of Justice. April 11, 2014. Retrieved 17 February 2019.
  11. "Newfoundland and Labrador Judicial Appointment Announced". Government of Canada. March 27, 2015. Retrieved 17 February 2019.
  12. "Newfoundland and Labrador Judicial Appointment Announced". Government of Canada. May 29, 2015. Retrieved 19 February 2019.
  13. 1 2 3 4 "Government of Canada Announces Judicial Appointments in the Province of Newfoundland and Labrador". Government of Canada – Department of Justice. May 12, 2017. Retrieved 17 February 2019.
  14. "Government of Canada Announces Judicial Appointment in the Province of Newfoundland and Labrador". Government of Canada – Department of Justice. October 20, 2017. Retrieved 19 February 2019.
  15. "Government of Canada Announces Judicial Appointment in the Province of Newfoundland and Labrador". Government of Canada – Department of Justice. November 9, 2017. Retrieved 19 February 2019.
  16. "Government of Canada Announces Judicial Appointment in the Province of Newfoundland and Labrador". Government of Canada – Department of Justice. November 2, 2018. Retrieved 19 February 2019.