Local judge elevated

Ottawa Sun

27 July 2007

By SEAN MCKIBBBON, COURTS BUREAU

An Ottawa judge has been appointed associate chief justice of the Ontario Court of Justice.

Ontario Attorney General Michael Bryant announced yesterday that Peter Griffiths, regional senior judge of the East Region, has been appointed to fill the opening left when Justice Annemarie Bonkalo was named to the position of chief justice of Ontario.

Bryant also announced Regional Senior Judge John Andrew Payne of the Central East Region will become the associate chief justice and coordinator of justices of the peace, effective Sept. 2.

"Both Associate Chief Justice Griffiths and Associate Chief Justice Payne have demonstrated through their extensive judicial experience that they have the skills, dedication and integrity to lead the Ontario Court in their new roles," said Bryant.

SPEARHEADED MENTAL HEALTH COURT

Griffiths was appointed to the bench in 1998, sitting primarily in Brockville and Ottawa.

He most recently spearheaded the establishment of a mental health court in Ottawa to help people with mental illness navigate their way through the criminal justice system.

"The appointment of these two extremely capable judges will be a great asset to the Ontario Court of Justice and the public it serves," said Bonkalo.

Griffiths was called to the bar in 1976 and held numerous senior positions in the criminal justice system.

From 1979-1989, he served as an assistant Crown attorney. He managed the Etobicoke Crown attorney's office for four years and in 1993 was appointed regional senior Crown attorney for the East Region.