Justice
June 8, 2007

Judge Appointed and Judicial Services Enhanced for Labrador West

The Honourable Tom Osborne, Minister of Justice, today announced the appointment of Wynne Anne Trahey as a new provincial court judge in Wabush and the reinstatement of full judicial services to the Labrador West area.

"On behalf of the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador, I offer my sincerest congratulations to Ms. Trahey on this appointment," said Minister Osborne. "We, as a government, are committed to ensuring full access to judicial services for the people of this region. While Ms. Trahey will reside and work primarily in Labrador West, she will also provide service to other areas of Labrador through the provision of circuit court duties."

In 1991, the Wabush Court service was reduced to a court centre when the caseloads of the day were on the decline, and the resident judge relocated to Corner Brook. In recent times, the caseloads, particularly family cases in the Labrador West region, have substantially increased and the workload can not be adequately dealt with under the circuit court system. The restoration of full services to Labrador West will significantly improve case processing times.

"These investments are part of the commitment that government has made to the people of Labrador as part of the Northern Strategic Plan," said Jim Baker, MHA for Labrador West. "Government is restoring access to justice services for constituents in my region, as well as providing additional resources for Labrador in general."

Minister Osborne further stated that government must continue to be cognizant of the ever changing judicial requirements of the various regions of the province.

"We are continuously monitoring the judicial needs of the people of Newfoundland and Labrador, and pride ourselves on being responsive," he said. "Ensuring accessible services is tantamount to good government, and we are delighted to create the tangible link between government and the much needed services in our communities. I am also delighted with the level of experience and expertise which Ms. Trahey will bring to the region as well."

The Honourable M. Reginald Reid, Chief Judge of the Provincial Court of Newfoundland and Labrador, said that government has provided full support in its quest to reinstate judicial services to this area. "Government has stepped up to the challenge and has provided the judicial assistance needed in this area. I�m happy to see that Labrador West will once again have the full court service it needs to allow caseloads to be addressed in a timely and effective manner," he said.

Wynne Anne Trahey received her bachelor of arts degree in political science from Dalhousie University in 1979, and her bachelor of laws degree from Osgoode Hall Law School, York University, in 1982. She was admitted to the bar in December 1982.

Ms. Trahey has held positions with the firms of Marshall, White, Ottenheimer & Green; Collins and Associates; Lewis, Day, Cook, Dawe & Eaton; and, most recently, with the Crown Attorney�s Office with the Department of Justice.

This appointment is effective immediately, and Ms. Trahey will assume full responsibility for the region as directed by the chief judge.

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Media contact:
Melony O�Neill
Communications
Executive Council
709-729-0557
MOneill@gov.nl.ca

2007 06 08                                                      10:00 a.m.

 


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