Saskatchewan is moving ahead with plans to introduce a new class of judges aimed at easing pressure on the court system. The proposed associate judges of the Court of King’s Bench would take on routine matters that typically receive less public attention, helping streamline proceedings and free up senior judges for more complex cases. Minister of Justice Tim McLeod says much of the court’s workload already involves these types of proceedings. “A large volume of work happens in chambers at the Court of King’s Bench,” he said. “So chambers applications, whether they’re family matters, routine matters for adjustments to child support or access orders, things like that. Also civil matter that might go through Court of King’s Bench.” Saskatchewan is following the lead of neighbouring provinces by creating the new positions, which are intended to improve efficiency across the system. McLeod says the associate judges will be assigned in collaboration with the courts. “They will be assigned by the Chief Justice so in consultation with the Chief Justice and the Court of King’s Bench, we were pleased to introduce this act to create those new positions and of course four of those positions were announced as part of the funding in this year’s budget,” he said. Unlike traditional Court of King’s Bench justices, who are federally appointed, the new associate judges would be appointed and funded by the province. McLeod says that distinction allows the province to respond more directly to growing demands. “This position is something that we can create provincially that will help alleviate those pressures.” The Opposition NDP is offering conditional support for the move. “I do know that this is coming at the request of the courts. Anything that improves access to justice is a good thing,” said NDP MLA Nicole Sarauer. The proposed changes come as courtroom workloads continue to rise, driven in part by population growth and increasingly complex cases. The province says the additional judges should help ensure more timely access to the courts.
