NEW CHIEF JUDGE APPOINTED

Judge Carol Snell has been appointed Chief Judge of the Provincial Court of Saskatchewan, effective January 1, 2008, following the conclusion of Chief Judge Gerald Seniuk's term as Chief Judge on December 31, 2007.

"Since his appointment as Chief Judge, January 1, 2001, Chief Judge Seniuk has been a leader in bringing the Provincial Court to the community," Justice Minister Frank Quennell said. "I thank him for his considerable contributions to improving the relationship between Aboriginal peoples and the Provincial Court. Chief Judge Seniuk has also been instrumental in establishing problem solving courts in Saskatchewan.

"Judge Snell is a worthy successor to Chief Judge Seniuk. She is a leader provincially and nationally, and has played a prominent role in court administration, policy development and education for the Provincial Court as well as Canadian judicial organizations," Quennell said.

"It has been a great privilege to have served as Chief Judge of the Provincial Court of Saskatchewan," Chief Judge Seniuk said. "It has been a pleasure to work with Judge Snell and I have every confidence the people of Saskatchewan and the administration of justice will be well served by this exceptional judge."

"I am deeply honoured to be appointed as the next Chief Judge of the Provincial Court of Saskatchewan, beginning January 2008," Judge Snell said. "Chief Judge Seniuk has provided great leadership to the Court particularly in the areas of technological innovation, judicial independence and improved accessibility of the Court, especially for Aboriginal peoples. I will work hard over the next six months in my role as Associate Chief Judge, to assist the Chief Judge as he completes his term, while learning more about the work he has done so that when I assume my challenging new role in January, I will be well prepared to continue on the path he has charted."

Judge Snell was appointed to the Provincial Court of Saskatchewan on March 10, 1999, and has served as Associate Chief Judge and Administrative Judge for southern Saskatchewan since May 1, 2005. She earned a Bachelor of Arts from Queen's University in 1972. In 1977, she completed her Bachelor of Laws at the University of Saskatchewan and articled with Saskatchewan Justice.

In 1978, after being called to the bar, Judge Snell practised with Saskatchewan Justice for more than 20 years. She practised as a Crown Prosecutor and Crown Solicitor before becoming the Director of Special Projects for the Public Prosecutions Branch, a position she held until her appointment to the Provincial Court. Judge Snell has lectured extensively on a variety of criminal law topics both before and after her appointment to the Bench.

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For more information, contact:

Debi McEwen
Justice
Regina
Phone: 306-787-6043
Email: dmcewen@justice.gov.sk.ca