Canada makes judicial appointments in B.C. and Nova Scotia: Hugh Veenstra and Patrick Duncan

Nova Scotia has a new associate chief justice of the Supreme Court

Canada makes judicial appointments in B.C. and Nova Scotia: Hugh Veenstra and Patrick Duncan

Hugh William Veenstra joins the Supreme Court of British Columbia as a judge, while Patrick J. Duncan is appointed as associate chief justice of the Supreme Court of Nova Scotia.

Justice Veenstra has been recognized for his work with the Canadian Bar Association

Veenstra takes the place of Justice Kenneth Affleck in Vancouver, who retired effective Nov. 5, 2019. Admitted to the B.C. bar in 1992, Veenstra graduated from the University of Victoria Faculty of Law and clerked with two justices at the B.C. Court of Appeal. He worked at McCarthy Tétrault LLP, then acted as associate counsel at Jenkins Marzban Logan LLP, where he centred his practice on civil litigation and arbitration, with an emphasis on real estate, construction and general commercial disputes.

For the Canadian Bar Association, Veenstra has served as chairperson of the national civil litigation section, as president of the B.C. branch, as member of the national board of directors and as member of the truth and reconciliation working group of the B.C. branch, for which he co-authored its 2018 report. For his efforts, he has received the CBABC President’s Medal, the Law Society of B.C.’s Leadership in Legal Aid Award and an appointment as Queen’s Counsel.

David Lametti, federal justice minister and Canada’s Attorney General, announced the appointment on June 23.

Justice Duncan has been with the Nova Scotia Supreme Court for nearly 13 years

Duncan fills the vacancy left by Justice Deborah Smith’s appointment as chief justice of the Nova Scotia Supreme Court in June 2019. Duncan, who first joined the court on Nov. 30, 2007, has mentored new judges in criminal law, has given presentations on privacy, evidence, disclosure and criminal jury trials and has participated in judicial committees, including serving as former chairperson of the Federal Judicial Advisory Committee.

Before embarking on his work with the judiciary, Duncan worked for seven years at Nova Scotia Legal Aid, then was partner at Beveridge, MacPherson & Duncan, where he practised primarily in administrative law, criminal defence, civil litigation and public inquiries. He has devoted his time to the Nova Scotia Barristers’ Society and other legal organizations. He obtained his law degree from Dalhousie University’s Schulich School of Law.

“I am confident Associate Chief Justice Duncan is up to this task,” said Chief Justice Smith. “He is an extremely hard-working and insightful jurist who is always willing to take on new responsibilities.”

“Associate Chief Justice Duncan brings with him a wealth of experience gained while serving as a judge on the provincial Supreme Court since 2007 and practising law for nearly three decades,” said Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, who announced the appointment on June 23. Like Smith, Trudeau expressed confidence that Duncan would do well in his new role.

Recent articles & video

Roundup of law firm hires, promotions, departures: March 18, 2024 update

Supreme Court of Canada to hear case on Impact Assessment Act's constitutionality

Bennett Jones, Blaney McMurtry, Kim Spencer McPhee act in $111-million case

SCC confirms Vavilov's call for enhanced review of administrative tribunal decisions

Canada Revenue Agency outlines recent steps to enhance disability services

LSBC Tribunal releases report outlining 2023 stats and achievements

Most Read Articles

SCC confirms Vavilov's call for enhanced review of administrative tribunal decisions

Radha Curpen at Bennett Jones LLP on how law firms should understand intersectionality

Five firms dominating the litigation landscape in Canada in recent years

High interest rates, slowing economy boosting real estate and white-collar crime litigation