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Apr 8, 2021 · Peter Browne, Irene Muzychka, Trudy Button and Stacy Ryan have been appointed judges of the Supreme Court of Newfoundland and Labrador, David Lametti, federal justice minister and Canada’s attorney general, announced on Mar. 24.
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The Honourable David Lametti, Minister of Justice and Attorney General of Canada, today announced the following appointments under the judicial application process established in 2016. This process emphasizes transparency, merit, and the diversity of the Canadian population, and will continue to ensure the appointment of jurists who meet the highest standards of excellence and integrity.
March 24, 2021 – Ottawa, Ontario – Department of Justice Canada
The Honourable David Lametti, Minister of Justice and Attorney General of Canada, today announced the following appointments under the judicial application process established in 2016. This process emphasizes transparency, merit, and the diversity of the Canadian population, and will continue to ensure the appointment of jurists who meet the highest standards of excellence and integrity.
Peter N. Browne, Q.C., a partner at Curtis Dawe Lawyers in St. John’s, is appointed a Judge of the Supreme Court of Newfoundland and Labrador. Mr. Justice Browne replaces Mr. Justice B.F. Furey (Corner Brook), who resigned effective August 31, 2019.
Irene S. Muzychka, Q.C., a partner at Curtis Dawe Lawyers in St. John’s, is appointed a Judge of the Supreme Court of Newfoundland and Labrador. Madam Justice Muzychka replaces Mr. Justice D.F. Hurley (St. John’s), who passed away on July 15, 2020.
Trudy L. Button, Legal Counsel at the College of Registered Nurses of Newfoundland and Labrador in St. John’s, is appointed a Judge of the Supreme Court of Newfoundland and Labrador. Madam Justice Button replaces Madam Justice K.J. Goulding (Grand Falls-Windsor), who elected to become a supernumerary judge effective November 13, 2019.
“I wish Justices Browne, Muzychka, Button and Ryan every success as they take on their new roles. I am confident they will serve the people of Newfoundland and Labrador well as members of the Supreme Court.”
—The Hon. David Lametti, Minister of Justice and Attorney General of Canada
Justice Peter N. Browne, Q.C., received his Bachelor of Laws from Dalhousie University in 1984 and was admitted to the Bar of Newfoundland and Labrador in 1985. He was appointed Queens Counsel in 2008 and was inducted as a Fellow of the American College of Trial Lawyers in 2018.
Mr. Justice Browne has been practising with the law firm Curtis Dawe in the City of St. John’s since 1986. He has offered a broad range of legal services with a primary focus on complex civil litigation, including in the areas of medical malpractice defence, administrative/human rights issues and corporate/commercial matters.
Outside his legal practice, Justice Browne has presented numerous seminars and lectures in the area of health law. He has served on provincial and national committees for the Canadian Bar Association, including as branch president for Newfoundland and Labrador in 2001-02. His community involvement includes participation as a leader for a local Scouts Canada group and several community non-profit organizations, including the Board of Directors for Festival 500 and the Newman Sound Men’s Choir.
Justice Browne is an avid runner who has competed in track and field and road racing provincially and nationally for over 40 years. In recent years, he has served as President for Athletics Northeast, the province’s largest running club. He enjoys spending time with his wife, Barb, their three children, and their dog hiking the trails of the Avalon.
Justice Irene S. Muzychka, Q.C., was born and raised in St. John’s, Newfoundland and Labrador. She is one of four children of Ukrainian-Spanish parents who ”came from away” in 1960.
Madam Justice Muzychka holds a B. Comm. (Hons) from Memorial University of Newfoundland and an LL.B. from the University of New Brunswick. She received her articles under the late Hon. Fabian O’Dea, Q.C., and was admitted to the practice of law in 1988. At the time of her appointment, she was managing partner at Curtis Dawe, where she had practised law as litigation counsel for 33 years, appearing regularly in the province’s Supreme Court and Court of Appeal. She received her Queen’s Counsel designation in 2013 and has been selected by her peers for inclusion in Best Lawyers in Canada for her work in the areas of Medical Negligence, Professional Malpractice Law, Insurance Law, and Municipal Law. In 2019-20, she was co-counsel to the Commission of Inquiry respecting the Muskrat Falls Project.
•At the Superior Court level, more than 440 judges have been appointed since November 2015. These exceptional jurists represent the diversity that strengthens Canada. Of these judges, more than half are women, and appointments reflect an increased representation of visible minorities, Indigenous, LGBTQ2+, and those who self-identify as having a disability.
The Government of Canada is committed to promoting access to justice for all Canadians. To improve outcomes for Canadian families, Budget 2018 provides funding of $77.2 million over four years to support the expansion of unified family courts, beginning in 2019-2020. This investment in the family justice system will create 39 new judicial positions in Alberta, Ontario, Nova Scotia, and Newfoundland and Labrador.
Federal judicial appointments are made by the Governor General, acting on the advice of the federal Cabinet and recommendations from the Minister of Justice.
The Judicial Advisory Committees across Canada play a key role in evaluating judicial applications. There are 17 Judicial Advisory Committees, with each province and territory represented.
The Honourable Peter N. BROWNE. March 23, 2021 – Appointed puisne judge of the Supreme Court, General Division, Judicial Centre of Corner Brook. September 12, 2022 – Transferred to Judicial Centre of St. John’s, General Division. The Honourable Sandra R. CHAYTOR.
Jul 21, 2023 · In a ruling released Thursday, Justice Peter Browne wrote that the case will face fewer procedural barriers in Quebec than in Newfoundland and Labrador.
Swearing-in of New Justice. Administration of the Oaths of Office to The Honourable Peter N. Browne as a Justice of this Court will take place on Friday, May 14, 2021 at 10:00 a.m., at the Supreme Court of Newfoundland and Labrador, in St. John’s, Newfoundland and Labrador.
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