News Release Archive
JUSTICE--CHIEF JUDGE APPOINTED ----------------------------------------------------------------- Justice Minister Bill Gillis today announced the appointment of Judge Joseph Phillip Kennedy as Chief Judge of the Provincial Court of Nova Scotia. Chief Judge Kennedy has served as Associate Chief Judge since 1993, and his appointment as Chief Judge becomes effective immediately. Chief Judge Kennedy was called to the bar in 1969 after graduating from Dalhousie Law School. He practised privately from 1969 to 1978 when he was appointed to the Provincial Court. The Chief Judge is appointed on the recommendation of a recruitment committee, which considers applications from current Provincial Court judges. The committee consists of the Chief Justice of Nova Scotia (who chairs the committee), the Chief Judge of the Family Court, the outgoing Chief Judge of the Provincial Court, the president of the Provincial Judges' Association, and a lay person (without a law degree) designated by the Minister of Justice. The committee submits a short list of recommended candidates with a precis of information on each. The short list contains no fewer than three, nor more than six candidates, and are not ranked. The appointment is for a period of five years. Recommendations for an Associate Chief Judge will be considered by the recruitment committee. Those currently sitting as Provincial Court Judges will be invited to apply, and a replacement is expected to be named sometime this summer. "Chief Judge Kennedy has provided exemplary service over the years, both in private practice and as a Judge of the Provincial Court," said Dr. Gillis. "I know his leadership abilities and dedication to fairness will continue to Nova Scotians well." -30- Contact: Michele McKinnon 902-424-6811 trp June 26, 1996 - 9:50 a.m.