Nova Scotia appoints new provincial judge amid backlog of court cases – Halifax | 24CA News
A brand new decide has been added to Nova Scotia’s provincial court docket, filling one of many two remaining vacancies on the bench.
In a launch from the province on Friday, it was introduced that Angela Caseley, a federal Crown legal professional from Bedford, was appointed to the place along with her tenure efficient instantly.
“Ms. Caseley is an experienced and well-respected lawyer,” stated Nova Scotia’s Attorney General and Justice Minister Brad Johns.
“Nova Scotians are fortunate to have someone of her calibre presiding over provincial court matters. She is a person of integrity, good character and has made important contributions to the practice of law.”
This announcement comes amid a backlog of prison court docket circumstances within the province and an ongoing scarcity of appointees, as judges are retiring at practically the identical fee as new ones are being employed.
During a State of the Nova Scotia Courts tackle final month, Pamela Williams, the chief decide of the provincial court docket, referred to as the backlog “significant.”
This week, a Nova Scotia man accused of sexual offences towards two youngsters had his fees stayed attributable to extreme delays in proceedings, as a verdict was by no means handed down following the unique decide taking a depart of absence shortly after the trial concluded in October 2021.
When totally staffed, there are 28 provincial court docket judges, however there nonetheless stays one emptiness, along with the decide who stays on long-term depart.
After graduating from Dalhousie Law School, Caseley started her authorized profession as a defence lawyer in British Columbia earlier than returning to her residence province in 1999. She joined the Public Prosecution of Canada in 2000.
“During her career, (she) focused on organized crime, proceeds of crime, establishment of alternative courts, and administration of the agent supervision program. She was a senior counsel and team lead and chaired the equity, diversity and inclusion committee.” the discharge from the province continued.
The provincial court docket oversees “the most indictable and summary offence charges under the Criminal Code.”
The province stated that the federal government selects a brand new decide for the provincial court docket bench from an inventory of candidates who’re really useful by an impartial advisory committee.
“Appointments to the bench are based on merit and professional excellence,” the province stated, including that gender, dedication to public service, and geographical illustration are a number of the a number of further elements thought of within the course of.
With the appointment of Caseley, there are actually 18 feminine and 9 male judges sitting full-time on the provincial court docket.
© 2023 Global News, a division of Corus Entertainment Inc.
