Justice and Public Safety
September 28, 2015
New Chief Judge Appointed for Provincial Court
The Honourable Darin King, Minister of Justice and Public Safety, and the Honourable Felix Collins, Attorney General, announced today that Pamela J. Goulding, QC, has been appointed as Chief Judge with Provincial Court of Newfoundland and Labrador. Chief Judge Goulding replaces former Chief Judge Mark Pike who has resigned from the position.
“I congratulate Chief Judge Goulding on her appointment. She has an extensive legal career in Newfoundland and Labrador including the past three years as a Provincial Court Judge. The considerable knowledge and experience she gained first as a prosecutor and then as a judge will serve her well in her new role. I also commend Judge Pike for the six years he served as Chief Judge in which much positive work was undertaken at Provincial Court.”
- The Honourable Darin King, Minister of Justice and Public Safety
Chief Judge Pamela J. Goulding was called to the bar in Newfoundland and Labrador in 1986 after completing law school at Dalhousie Law School. She gained significant experience as a Crown Attorney and also served as the Senior Crown Attorney responsible for the Special Prosecutions Office for five years. Immediately prior to being appointed to the bench, Chief Judge Goulding was the Assistant Deputy Minister and Director of Public Prosecutions with the Department of Justice.
“It is worth noting that Chief Judge Goulding is the first female Chief Judge at any level of court in the province’s history. She has a very challenging yet important role to fill and I am confident that the administration of justice in Newfoundland and Labrador is in good hands. I would like to thank Judge Pike also for all that he accomplished while serving as the Chief Judge with Provincial Court.”
- The Honourable Felix Collins, Attorney General
A bio of Chief Judge Goulding can be found in the backgrounder below.
QUICK FACTS:
- Pamela J. Goulding, QC, has been appointed Chief Judge for Provincial Court of Newfoundland and Labrador.
- Chief Judge Goulding was called to the bar in Newfoundland and Labrador in 1986. She was appointed to the bench in February, 2012.
- This appointment marks the first time in the province’s history that a female is Chief Judge at any level of court.
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Media contact:
Luke Joyce
Director of Communications
Department of Justice and Public Safety
709-729-6985, 725-4165
lukejoyce@gov.nl.ca
BACKGROUNDER
Biography - Pamela J. Goulding, QC
Pamela J. Goulding, QC, born in Grand Falls-Windsor, attended Mount Allison University in New Brunswick where she studied Philosophy, and graduated from Dalhousie Law School in 1985 with a Bachelor of Laws degree. She articled with the Crown Attorneys’ office and was called to the Bar of Newfoundland and Labrador in 1986. Judge Goulding has held the position of Crown Attorney and in 2001 became the Senior Crown Attorney in charge of the Special Prosecutions Office. That office is responsible for prosecuting complex and sensitive criminal cases, extradition matters and appeals. She conducted an extensive appellate practice which included more than 100 appearances before the Court of Appeal. Judge Goulding also argued two murder appeals before the Supreme Court of Canada. She was appointed Director of Public Prosecutions in 2006. In that position, she has instituted an extensive rejuvenation of the Public Prosecutions Division following the recommendations of the Lamer Report. Judge Goulding served as vice-chair of the Criminal Law Section of the Canadian Bar Association Newfoundland and Labrador Branch. She is a supporter of a number of local charitable groups and organizations and holds a black belt in the martial art of Taekwon-Do (ITF). Judge Goulding was appointed Queen’s Counsel in October 2008. She was appointed to the bench as a Provincial Court Judge in February 2012.
2015 09 28 2:15 p.m.