BRITISH COLUMBIA JUDICIAL APPOINTMENTS ANNOUNCED

OTTAWA, March 2, 2007 -- The Honourable Rob Nicholson, P.C., Q.C., M.P. for Niagara Falls, Minister of Justice and Attorney General of Canada, today announced the following appointments:

The Honourable Christopher E. Hinkson, Q.C. , partner with the firm Harper Grey of Vancouver, is appointed judge of the Supreme Court of British Columbia. He replaces Mr. Justice T.J. Melnick (Victoria) who elected to become a supernumerary judge.

Mr. Justice Hinkson received a Bachelor of Laws in 1975 from University of British Columbia and was admitted to the Bar of British Columbia in 1976. His practice expertise is in the areas of medical malpractice, personal injury, commercial and human rights litigation and administrative law. Mr. Justice Hinkson’s professional responsibilities have included his roles as President of the Vancouver Bar Association, Member of Education Committee of the Law Society of British Columbia, Adjunct Professor at Faculty of Law of the University of British Columbia and Fellow of the American College of Trial Lawyers. He has acted in executive roles with the British Columbia Medical Services Foundation and the Vancouver Foundation.

The Honourable S. David Frankel, Q.C. , Senior General Counsel, Public Prosecution Service of Canada in Vancouver, is appointed judge of the Supreme Court of British Columbia. He replaces Mr. Justice A. M. Stewart (Vancouver) who elected to become a supernumerary judge.

Mr. Justice Frankel received a Bachelor of Laws in 1973 and a Bachelor of Science in 1970 from the University of British Columbia and was admitted to the Bar of British Columbia in 1974. He articled with Guild, Yule & Company in Vancouver and since 1974 has practised with the federal Department of Justice developing an expertise in the area of Charter litigation, criminal law and constitutional law. Appointed a Queen’s Counsel in 1988, Mr. Justice Frankel is a respected lecturer and author. In 2004, he was awarded the UBC Law School Adjunct Professor Outstanding Service Award. Mr. Justice Frankel appeared frequently before the Supreme Court of Canada and has been a Fellow of the American College of Trial Lawyers and a Director of the Law Courts Inn. He is also an active Board Member of the Beth Israel Synagogue in Vancouver.

These appointments are effective immediately.

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Ref.:

Geneviève Breton
Director of Communications
Minister's Office
613-992-4621