The B.C. government is appointing two new Provincial Court judges, to ensure that the court is able to continue to address caseload pressures and improve access to justice, Attorney General and Minister of Justice Suzanne Anton announced today.

In addressing recent retirements and vacancies, the appointments of Judge Laura Bakan and Judge Edna Ritchie are effective April 2, 2015, and March 20, 2015, respectively.

Judge Bakan and Judge Ritchie will each 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 that 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 a fair and equitable 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, provincial court 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: www.ag.gov.bc.ca/justice-reform-initiatives/

A backgrounder follows.

Media Contacts:

Ministry of Justice
Government Communications and Public Engagement
250 208-0618

BACKGROUNDER

Provincial Court judge biographies

Judge Laura Bakan - Judge Bakan attended the University of Victoria law school and graduated in 1983. She was called to the bar in 1984 and spent her career practising with Guild Yule in Vancouver, with a focus on civil litigation. Prior to her time in law school, she graduated from Simon Fraser University in criminology and worked as a probation officer. Judge Bakan was a senior member of the Insurance Defense Bar where she acted for institutional clients in important high stakes cases such as malpractice and negligence within education settings. She is active in a number of professional associations and is currently the president of the Medical Legal Society.

Judge Edna Ritchie - Judge Ritchie attended law school at the University of British Columbia and graduated in 1979. She articled and practised in Prince George with the law firm Hope Heinrich. Subsequent to that, she moved to Vancouver and practised with Fraser and Company. At these two firms, her practice was focused on family and civil litigation. Judge Ritchie spent approximately three years with her family and then returned to the practice of law in 1992 when she joined the Lawyers Insurance Fund at the Law Society of British Columbia. She remained there for 20 years and handled claims against lawyers involving all areas of law, with a concentration on family law, real estate and builders liens. Judge Ritchie gives back to her profession by mentoring legal students and contributing regularly to the Continuing Legal Education Society of B.C.

Media Contacts:

Ministry of Justice
Government Communications and Public Engagement
250 208-0618