INFORMATION BULLETIN

2010AG0005-000224 March 4, 2010

Ministry of Attorney General

 

NEW CHIEF JUDGE APPOINTED

 

VICTORIA – Judge Thomas James Crabtree has been appointed chief judge of the British Columbia Provincial Court, Attorney General Michael de Jong, QC, announced today.

 

He will assume his new duties from acting chief judge James Threlfall effective April 8.

de Jong recognized and thanked Threlfall for his dedication and service in his acting capacity.  

 

Crabtree is currently a judge in the South Fraser district, based in Chilliwack. He received his law degree from the University of Victoria in 1983 and was called to the B.C. bar in 1984. He specialized in litigation before being appointed to the Provincial Court in 1999.

 

Born in England, Crabtree moved to Chilliwack at a young age and went on to graduate from Chilliwack senior secondary.

 

An independent advisory panel provided advice during the selection process for his appointment. Panel members included the acting chief judge, acting deputy attorney general and, for the first time ever, two members of the general public. They were Kim Capri, a former Vancouver city councillor, and Daryl Plecas, a professor in the school of criminology and criminal justice at the University of the Fraser Valley.

 

The advisory panel reported on the candidates to the attorney general, who then made a recommendation to cabinet. The final appointment was made through a cabinet order-in-council.

 

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Media Contact:

Dave Townsend Senior Public Affairs Officer Ministry of Attorney General 250 387-4962 250 889-5945 (cell)

 

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