OTTAWA, August 14, 2003 -- The Honourable Martin Cauchon, Minister of Justice and Attorney General of Canada, today announced the following appointment:

Konrad W. von Finckenstein of Ottawa is appointed a judge of the Federal Court of Canada. He replaces Madam Justice D.C. McGillis who resigned.

Mr. Justice von Finckenstein received a Bachelor of Laws from Queen's University in 1971, and was admitted to the Law Society of Upper Canada in 1973. He was appointed a Queen's Counsel in 1984.

At the time of his appointment and since 1997, he was the Commissioner of Competition at the Competition Bureau of Canada. Prior to that, he held several positions at the Department of Justice, including Assistant Deputy Minister - Business Law, Assistant Deputy Minister - Trade Law, and as Assistant Deputy Attorney General - Tax Law.

As well, Mr. Justice von Finckenstein has held the position of Assistant Deputy Minister at the Department of Foreign Affairs where he was responsible for free trade policy and operations. He is also the author of various legal publications.

This appointment is effective immediately.

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Ref.:

Mike Murphy
Director of Communications
Minister's Office
(613) 992-4621