Legal Appointments Board

Department

Authority

Remuneration

Purpose:

The duties of the Legal Appointments Board are:

• to consult with the Minister of Justice and Public Safety regarding King’s Counsel appointments;
• to recommend, at the request of the Minister of Justice and Public Safety, the names of suitable persons for consideration for King’s Counsel appointment; and
• to make recommendations respecting other appointments to legal offices in this province that may be referred to the Board by the Lieutenant-Governor in Council.

Structure:

The Minister of Justice and Public Safety shall appoint five members to the Legal Appointments Board and shall, so far as is practicable, ensure that among the persons appointed:

• one will be a member of the Law Society of Newfoundland and Labrador (“Law Society”) in practice and reside outside the metropolitan area of St. John's;
• one will be a Bencher of the Law Society; and
• one will be a member of the Law Society who has been practicing in the province for less than 10 years.

Three appointments shall be made in accordance with the merit-based appointment process administrated by the Public Service Commission.

Additionally, two appointments shall be chosen from a list of seven members of the Law Society, to be submitted by the Benchers of the Law Society, at the request of the Minister. The Public Service Commission process does not apply to these two appointments which are made at the recommendation of the Benchers, pursuant to the Queen’s Counsel Act.

The Minister of Justice and Public Safety shall designate one of the five members of the Legal Appointments Board to be the chairperson of the Board.

Competency Profile:

• Experience in the practice of law.

Qualifications:

Those who make up the Legal Appointments Board should be practicing members of the Law Society of Newfoundland and Labrador. The membership of the Board must have:

• One member who practices and resides outside the metropolitan area of St. John's;
• One member who is a lawyer who has practiced in the province for less than 10 years; and
• One member who is a Bencher of the Law Society.

Time Commitments:

The Board meets at the call of the Chair when the Minister requests names for King’s Counsel appointments.

Vacancy Profile:

The Board is seeking to fill one member vacancy.  Expressions of interest are being sought from individuals who have experience in the practice of law and are practicing members of the Law Society of Newfoundland and Labrador.  Consideration will also be given to a variety of demographic factors to ensure the board is representative of the population they serve.