Department of Justice

NEWFOUNDLAND JUDICIAL APPOINTMENTS ANNOUNCED

OTTAWA, March 28, 2001 -- The Honourable Anne McLellan, Minister of Justice and Attorney General of Canada, today announced the following appointments:

The Honourable Garrett Handrigan of the Provincial Court of Newfoundland, Grand Bank is appointed a Judge of the Newfoundland Supreme Court, Trial Division in Grand Bank. He replaces Mr. Justice W.G. Dymond, who was transferred to Gander to replace Mr. Justice G.G. Easton, who has chosen to become a supernumerary judge.

Mr. Justice Handrigan received a Bachelor of Laws from University of New Brunswick in 1977, and was admitted to the Bar of Newfoundland the following year. He was appointed to the Provincial Court of Newfoundland in 1989 and during his career, has acquired particular experience in youth justice and criminal matters. Mr. Justice Handrigan is the editor of an electronic "netletter" on the Quicklaw service. He has been active in the Canadian Association of Provincial Court Judges, most notably as Editor-in-Chief of the Provincial Judges' Journal from 1995 to 2000. Mr. Justice Handrigan served as a member of the Strategic Planning Committee of the Provincial Court of Newfoundland from 1996 to 2000.

Alan "Tex" C. Seaborn of Corner Brook is appointed a Judge of the Newfoundland Supreme Court, Trial Division. He replaces Madam Justice Gale Welsh who was appointed to the Newfoundland Supreme Court, Appeal Division.

Mr. Justice Seaborn received a Bachelor of Laws from Dalhousie University in 1972, and was admitted to the Bar of Newfoundland the following year. Since 1974, he has been a partner with the Corner Brook firm of Monaghan, Seaborn, Marshall, Allen-Westby and Murphy in general practice with a particular emphasis on commercial law and civil litigation. From 1980 to 1986, Mr. Justice Seaborn served as a bencher of the Law Society of Newfoundland. He was appointed Queen's Counsel in 1987.

These appointments are effective immediately.

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Ref.:

Farah Mohamed
Minister's Office
(613) 992-4621