Premier R.J. Simpson has appointed a new territorial court judge.
Gary Magee will join Chief Justice Robert Gorin, Judge Jeannie Scott and Judge Stephanie Whitecloud-Brass on the territorial court.
An announcement of the appointment was made shortly after 2 p.m. Jan 19.
“This appointment will be effective Jan. 17, 2024,” read the press release. “Mr. Magee holds a bachelor of laws from the University of British Columbia and a masters in constitutional law from Osgoode Hall, York University.
“He has practised law for 19 years and has spent the majority of his legal career living and working in the Northwest Territories and Nunavut. He has a broad range of experience covering criminal, family and civil law.”
The release continues that Magee has lived in Yellowknife since 2017, working for the Public Prosecution Service of Canada (PPSC) Nunavut and Northwest Territories regional office as a Crown prosecutor. He has also served as general counsel and Northern coordinator, advising management of legal issues in all three territories as well as to Ottawa.
He most recently served as co-chair of the PPSC’s National Indigenous Justice and Reconciliation Committee. The release states that prior to moving to Yellowknife in 2017, Magee practised criminal defence and family protection law out of Ontario, but did the majority of his work in Nunavut. He also has lived in Cambridge Bay and Iqaluit as a legal aide lawyer for three years.
“Mr. Magee has demonstrated a commitment to public service throughout his career and has extensive Northern experience,” said the premier, who is also the minister of Justice. “I am confident that he will make valuable contributions to the administration of justice in the Northwest Territories.”
Territorial Court deals with both criminal and civil matters, including child protection cases and civil claims of up to $35,000.