The B.C. government is appointing a new Provincial Court judge, helping to alleviate caseload pressures and improve access to justice, Attorney General and Minister of Justice Suzanne Anton announced today.

Judge Carmen Rogers’ appointment is effective May 28, 2014. 

Judge Rogers will be assigned to a location determined by the chief judge to meet the needs of the court.

Government and the public rely on judges for their integrity and impartiality, and trust they will deliver fair, learned decisions. These qualities are essential for maintaining the public’s confidence in the courts and are a vital component of any democratic justice system.

Quick Facts:

The process to appoint judges involves several steps:

• Interested lawyers apply and the B.C. Judicial Council, a committee made up of the chief judge, other judges, lawyers and lay people, reviews the candidates.
  
• The committee recommends potential judges to the attorney general, with the final appointment made through a cabinet order-in-council.

Learn More:

More information about the judicial appointment process can be found at: www.provincialcourt.bc.ca

Information about B.C.’s justice reform initiative can be found at: http://www.ag.gov.bc.ca/justice-reform-initiatives/

A backgrounder follows.

Media Contacts:

Lori DeLuca
Ministry of Justice
Government Communications and Public Engagement
250 953-3196

BACKGROUNDER

Provincial Court judge biography

Judge Carmen Rogers

Judge Carmen Rogers was called to the B.C. bar in 1990 after receiving her bachelor of laws from the University of British Columbia in 1989. She first articled at Clark Wilson in Vancouver for one year before joining the Ontario Ministry of Attorney General as counsel in 1990.

In 1994, she moved back to B.C. and joined the Ministry of Justice as Crown counsel. Her work with Crown has included prosecution of all types of cases in both Provincial and Supreme Courts in administration, charge approval, wiretap agency, Crown and police training and appeal work.

Judge Rogers is a member of the Canadian Bar Association, holding numerous positions that include executive committee chair, member of the Judicial Advisory Committee and member of the Legal Aid Committee. She is also involved in various youth sporting organizations including Margaret Jenkins Swim Club, Central Swim Club, Victoria Gymnastics Parents Association and the Oak Bay Baseball Association.

Media Contacts:

Lori DeLuca
Ministry of Justice
Government Communications and Public Engagement
250 953-3196