Summary

• Clare Jennings appointed as a Provincial Court judge, effective Friday, July 17, 2026
• Assigned by the judiciary to Nanaimo, Jennings brings more than 18 years of legal experience  
• The appointment helps improve access to justice in Nanaimo, northern and central Vancouver Island

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The Government of British Columbia has appointed Clare Jennings, KC, as a Provincial Court judge, effective Friday, July 17, 2026, to help ensure timely and efficient access to justice.

Strengthening the justice system

Jennings will be assigned by the judiciary to Nanaimo, which serves northern and central Vancouver Island communities. Since 2008, Jennings has served as Crown counsel with the Victoria Crown Counsel Office and was the administrative Crown counsel between 2023 and 2025. From September 2021 to August 2022, Jennings served as president of the Canadian Bar Association, BC Branch. In 2023, Jennings was appointed King’s Counsel in recognition of exceptional contributions to the legal profession in British Columbia.

Jennings has extensive trial experience and has appeared before the Supreme Court of British Columbia and the Court of Appeal. Jennings is also an adjunct professor at the University of Victoria, faculty of law.

Judicial appointments in B.C.

• Judicial appointments consider various factors, including court requirements, diversity of the judiciary and candidates’ areas of expertise.
• Jennings is the 12th judicial appointment since December 2025, helping maintain the court’s capacity.
• The appointment supports B.C.’s ongoing commitment to ensuring courts have the judicial resources needed to meet the demands of the justice system and serve the people of the province.

Quick Facts:

• Judges are appointed after a multi-step process that starts with interested lawyers applying and the Judicial Council of B.C. reviewing the candidates.
• The council is a statutory body made up of the chief judge, an associate chief judge, other judges, lawyers and members from outside the legal profession.
• The council recommends potential judges to the attorney general, with the final appointment made through a cabinet order-in-council.
• Although judges are assigned to a judicial region, many use technology, such as videoconferencing, for court proceedings, enabling the court to provide timely access to justice for people in British Columbia.
• Judges also travel regularly throughout the province to meet demands.

Learn More

• For information about the judicial appointment process, visit: https://provincialcourt.bc.ca