Yellowknife — October 1, 2024
Minister of Justice, R.J. Simpson, announced today the appointment of the Honourable Judge Jeannie Scott to the position of Chief Judge of the Territorial Court of the Northwest Territories.
Under the Territorial Court Act, the Chief Judge is appointed to a term of five years. The term of the current Chief Judge, the Honourable Chief Judge Robert Gorin, will expire on October 2, 2024 at 5:00 pm at which point the Chief Judge Scott’s term will take effect.
The Chief Judge maintains their judicial responsibilities and provides general supervision and direction over the sittings of the Territorial Court, including assigning judges for Territorial Court hearings and oversight on the Justice of the Peace program.
Chief Judge Scott was appointed to the Territorial Court in 2021 and has sat as a judge in communities across the territory. She has practiced law for 14 years in the NWT and served as a prosecutor with the Public Prosecution Service of Canada, and as a lawyer with the Legal Division of the Department of Justice for the Government of the Northwest Territories.
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“I wish Chief Judge Jeannie Scott every success as she takes on her new role. She is a highly respected member of the legal community and has demonstrated a commitment to improving the administration of justice. I am confident she will continue to serve the people of the Northwest Territories well.”
- R.J. Simpson, Minister of Justice, Premier of the Northwest Territories
Quick Facts
- In addition to Chief Judge Scott, the Territorial Court includes Judge Robert Gorin, Judge Stephanie Whitecloud-Brass, and Judge Gary Magee
- Each Chief Judge serves a term of five years as outlined in the Territorial Courts Act and may not serve consecutive terms. The Chief Judge is selected from the current sitting Territorial Court judiciary and is appointed by the Commissioner in Executive Council.
- The Territorial Court hears both criminal and civil matters, including family law, child protection, the Wellness Court and civil claims under $35,000.
Related Links
For media requests, please contact:
Ngan Trinh
Senior Communications Advisor
Department of Justice
Government of the Northwest Territories
Email: ngan_trinh@gov.nt.ca
Phone Number: 867-767-9256, ext. 82083