To ensure the judiciary has the resources it needs to continue to provide access to justice, the British Columbia government is appointing three provincial court judges.

The appointments and effective dates will be:

• Judge William MacDonald – April 28, 2016
• Judge Catherine Ann Crockett – May 2, 2016
• Judge Brian Harvey – May 2, 2016

MacDonald is being reappointed for a one-year term as a senior judge. He obtained his law degree from the University of British Columbia (UBC) in 1971 and was appointed a judge in 1982. He has been part of the senior judge program since 2008 and was an administrative judge for a number of years. He will continue to sit in the Fraser Region, primarily Abbotsford and Chilliwack.

With more than 20 years of legal experience, Crockett has been a Crown counsel and worked for the Public Prosecution Service of Canada. She earned her law degree from UBC and is an active volunteer with numerous legal and non-legal organizations. Crockett will serve primarily on Vancouver Island.

Harvey has been a sole practitioner in Nanaimo for nearly 20 years with a focus on criminal law. After receiving an LLB from the University of Wales, he practised with Vancouver and Nanaimo law firms. An active volunteer with the Law Society and the Canadian Bar Association, he also donates time to community organizations in Nanaimo. Harvey will serve primarily on Vancouver Island.

Because of the diversity, experience and knowledge of its judges, British Columbia’s judicial system is recognized as one of the best in the world. The judges will be assigned to locations determined by the chief judge to meet the needs of the court.

Quick Facts:

• In 2015, 15 judges were appointed to address recent retirements and vacancies.
• British Columbia has the equivalent of approximately 126 full time provincial court judges who serve more than 80 court locations.
• Although judges are located in a judicial region, many travel regularly throughout the province to meet changing demands.

Learn More:

Information about the judicial appointment process: www.provincialcourt.bc.ca/about-the-court/judicial-officers/judges-court