Up Front
Governor swears in Court-of-AppealsJustice
His Excellency, the Governor, Mr. Peter Smith, and newCourt of Appeals Justice, Mr. Martin Taylor Q.C (right)
His Excellency the Governor, Mr. Peter Smith,swore in new Court of Appeals Justice, Mr. Martin Taylor Q.C.,on Monday, 5th February.
In a brief ceremony, Mr. Smith administered the oath of officeto the Canadian justice and attorney, who has some 35 years ofdistinguished service in the legal profession.
The swearing-in, in the Governor's office on the fourth floorof the Government Administration Building, was attended by twoother members of the court, Mr Justice Edward Zacca, its President,and Mr. Justice Gerald Collett.
As a former supreme court judge and justice of the court of appealfor the province of British Columbia, Mr. Taylor is highly regardedin his own country, where the weight of his achievements beliesthe fact that he joined the profession somewhat later in lifethan is customary.
He was called to the British Columbia Bar in 1963, at the ageof 32, following a 15-year career in journalism. As a lawyer,he pursued a career in general litigation practice until his appointmentto the Supreme Court in 1978. During this time, he served as counsel,advisor and legislative draftsman on public utility, energy andrelated legal matters for the British Columbia Government, workingon special commissions on energy, motor carriers and the BritishColumbia railway system.
Since his retirement from the Court of Appeal, in 1995, he hasconducted investigations for the attorney general, advised theHouse of Commons on a proposed extension of DNA identificationlegislation, served as special prosecutor on a number of occasions,and acted as arbitrator and mediator of private, commercial andgovernment disputes.
In 1998, he received the Law Society of British Columbia Awardfor lifetime contributions of an "exceptional" qualityto the legal profession. Mr. Taylor was recommended for this honourby Mr. Justice Dale G. Sanderson, who was then a partner of thelaw firm, Davis and Company, where Justice Taylor worked bothbefore and after his appointment to the courts.
Commending Mr. Justice Taylor to the awards committee, Mr. Sandersonsaid: "The award is intended to honour the lifetime contributionof the truly exceptional in our profession, the person who standsout in the crowd, who has contributed more than anyone could askand inspires others to a pursuit of excellence.
" I know of no-one who fits that description better thanMartin Taylor. He inspires those who deal with him, to try andbe better lawyers."
Mr. Sanderson also praised Mr. Taylor's commitment to public legaleducation through his work with organisations like the BritishColumbia Law Courts Education Society, which was created to overcomemisconceptions about the courts and legal system.
In addition, Justice Taylor regularly gives lectures to groupssuch as continuing legal education classes, the University ofBritish Columbia Law School, the Canadian and B.C. Bar Association,and the Canadian Judicial Council, as well as the 1990 and 1996Commonwealth Law Conferences.
Mr. Sanderson noted that the justice, in his spare time, arrangedfor luncheon speakers to discuss legal topics and other subjectsof interest with senior citizens groups. In addition to his workfrom the bench, and in the community, Mr. Taylor also found thetime, between 1971 and 1997, to publish over 100 articles, lecturesand papers on a variety of topics.
Chief Justice Anthony Smellie commented that Mr. Taylor's hardworkingethic and brilliant service record would be a welcome additionto the local judicial system. "Justice Taylor's earlier stintof service in the Grand Court in 2000, although very brief,"Justice Smellie said, "already served to win for him theacclaimed respect and appreciation of members of the local bar."
Mr. Justice Taylor will join a roster of other distinguished Commonwealthjudges who currently serve on the court of appeal. Comprised ofa president and two justices, the court meets three or four timesyearly, to hear appeals from the Grand Court, on civil and criminalmatters.