Justice and Public Safety
August 18, 2016
A Strong Justice System
New Director of Public Prosecutions Appointed
The Honourable Andrew Parsons, Minister of Justice and Public Safety and Attorney General, welcomed today the appointment of Frances Knickle, QC, as acting Director of Public Prosecutions, effective August 18, 2016.
“Ms. Knickle brings many years of experience to her new role, having worked with the Public Prosecutions Unit with the Provincial Government since 1992. I am confident she will make a tremendous contribution in ensuring the fair and equal treatment of all residents of our province who are involved in prosecutions.”
- The Honourable Andrew Parsons, Minister of Justice and Public Safety and Attorney General
Ms. Knickle has most recently served as Senior Crown with the Special Prosecutions Unit of the Department of Justice and Public Safety. In 2013, Ms. Knickle was appointed Queen’s Counsel, which comprises senior barristers who have served a minimum of 10 years in the legal profession. A full biography can be found below.
QUICK FACTS
- Minister Parsons welcomed today the appointment of Frances Knickle, QC, as acting Director of Public Prosecutions.
- Ms. Knickle moves to Director of Public Prosecutions from the position of Senior Crown Attorney with the Special Prosecutions Unit of the Department of Justice and Public Safety.
- The appointment is effective August 18, 2016.
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Media contact:
Jacquelyn Howard
Director of Communications
Department of Justice and Public Safety
709-729-6985, 689-2624
jacquelynhoward@gov.nl.ca
BIOGRAPHY
Frances Knickle, QC
Frances Knickle has most recently served as Senior Crown with the Special Prosecutions Unit of the Department of Justice and Public Safety. Born in Lunenburg, Nova Scotia, she attended the University of King’s College in Halifax and completed her undergraduate studies at Acadia University, receiving a Bachelor of Arts in Music in 1984. Ms. Knickle received her Bachelor of Laws from the Schulich School of Law (formerly Dalhousie Law School) in 1991. She articled with the Department of Justice and has worked with the Public Prosecutions Division since her call to the Bar of Newfoundland and Labrador in 1992. In 2010 Ms. Knickle was appointed Senior Crown Eastern Region Office. She returned to Special Prosecutions as Senior Crown in September 2012. Ms. Knickle has appeared at all levels of court, including the Supreme Court of Canada.
2016 08 18 3:00 p.m.