Justice and Public Safety
March 17, 2016

The following statement was given today in the House of Assembly by the Honourable Andrew Parsons, Minister of Justice and Public Safety and Attorney General:

Minister Acknowledges 40th Anniversary of Court of Appeal

Mr. Speaker, it was an honour to participate this morning in a ceremony to recognize the 40th anniversary of the first sitting of the Court of Appeal as the appellate division of the Supreme Court of Newfoundland and Labrador.

Prior to 1976, both trial and appeal superior court functions were discharged by a single unit court – the Supreme Court of Newfoundland. Each individual judge sat as a trial judge and in the case of appeal, that judge’s decision would be heard by the other sitting judges.

Mr. Speaker, the Court of Appeal is a vital component of the justice system in Newfoundland and Labrador as the court of last resort for more than 95 per cent of all appeals initiated in the province. Over the past 40 years, there have been many significant decisions that have directly impacted the administration of justice for Newfoundlanders and Labradorians.

Today we also recognized the contributions of one of the first justices to sit on the Court of Appeal, Chief Justice James R. Gushue who was just 43 years old when he was appointed in 1976 – a remarkable achievement for such a young man. He was known as a polite and courteous writer of good, solid judgments.

Chief Justice Gushue led a commission that examined the circumstances related to a 1976 fire at a personal care home in the Goulds that claimed 21 lives and which resulted in many health and safety improvements that are still in place today.

He passed away last October and is dearly missed by his family, friends and colleagues in the legal community.

In closing Mr. Speaker, I ask my fellow MHAs to join me in congratulating the Court of Appeal of the Supreme Court of Newfoundland and Labrador on its 40th anniversary.

Thank you.

2016 03 17                              1:55 p.m.