Education
United Church Academy, Grand Bank
Memorial University, St. John’s, Newfoundland
Dalhousie University, Nova Scotia
– Graduated from Dalhousie Law School with the Degree of LL.B., May 13,
1947.
Legal Experience
Called to the Bar of Nova Scotia
November 7, 1947, and to the Bar of Newfoundland April 7, 1948. Practiced Law
in St. John’s, Newfoundland, with the firm of Barron, Lewis and Hickman
from April 2, 1948, to March 31, 1953; Practiced as a senior partner with the
firm of Halley, Hickman and Hunt, St. John’s except during periods of
absence when he was a Minister of the Crown, from August 1966 to July 1979.
Created Queen’s Counsel May 1964 – Bencher Law Society of
Newfoundland 2957 to 1966 and Honourary Secretary – Law Society of
Newfoundland 1960 – 1966; Vice-President – Canadian Bar Association
1959 – 1961; was a Member – International Association Insurance
Counsel; Fellow American College of Probate Counsel; Appointed to the Supreme
Court of Newfoundland as Chief Justice of the Trial Division of that Court on
December 9, 1979. Director Canadian Institute for the Administration of Justice
1980 – 1984. Active as a Judge with Jessup International Moot Court 1980
– 2001.
Public Offices
Served as Minister of Justice and
Attorney General for the Province of Newfoundland – July 29, 1966, to
October 1969 and again from January 18, 1972 to July 1979; held the following
portfolios in addition to the Attorney Generalship:
President of the Council –
January 18, 1972 – 1974; Minister of Health – May 17, 1968 to March
1969; Minister Responsible for Intergovernmental Affairs – October 1975 to
January 31, 1978; Minister of Finance – February 1, 1978, to March 27,
1979; Minister of Education – March 27, 1979, to July 1979.
Law Reform
While Minister of Justice and
Attorney General initiated major law reforms including the restructuring of the
Supreme Court by the creation of two divisions, namely, the Court of Appeal and
the Trial Division (The Judicature Amendment Act 1974). Restructured the
Provincial Courts with new legislation (The Provincial Courts Act); revised and
restructured the District Courts (The District Court Act, 1976) and created one
of the first Unified Family Courts in Canada – The Unified Family Court
Act, 1977. Other reform legislation initiated:
- The Legal Aid Act;
- The Adult Corrections Act;
- The Prisons Act;
- The Criminal Injuries Compensations Act;
- Attachment of Wages Act; and,
- The Inspection of Legal Offices Act.
Royal Commission - Ocean Ranger
Chairman of the Royal Commission on the Ocean Ranger
Marine Disaster 1982 – 1985. The Commission’s four-volume Report has
received strong approval and acclaim from the International Maritime Community
as well as the Governments of Canada and Newfoundland.
Royal Commission – The Donald Marshall, Jr.
Prosecution
Chairman of the Royal Commission on
the Donald Marshall, Jr., Prosecution from October 23, 1986, to December 1989.
This Commission was appointed by the Government of Nova Scotia to inquire into
the circumstances surrounding the conviction and subsequent acquittal of Donald
Marshall, Jr. The seven-volume Report has been strongly endorsed by those
involved in the Canadian Justice System as well as Native and Minority Groups.
Other Offices Held
Chairman of Rent Control Board of
Newfoundland 1952 – 1966; Chairman of United Church School Board of St.
John’s for six years during which time chaired committee leading to
integration of Protestant School Boards in Newfoundland; Member of Board of
Management – Grace General Hospital, St. John’s for five years; Past
President – St. John’s Kiwanis Club.
Awards
Honourary Doctor of Laws Degree
(LL.D.) conferred by Dalhousie University on May 23, 1986.
Honourary Doctors of Laws Degree
(LL.D.) conferred by the Law Society of Newfoundland on October 19, 2000.
