The Alberta government has appointed three new justices to the Alberta Court of Justice. The appointments include two justices in Edmonton and one in the central region.
The newly appointed justices are Kanwarinder (Sony) Singh Ahluwalia, KC, Monica Brown, and William Hendsbee, KC.
Minister of Justice and Attorney General Mickey Amery praised their qualifications, stating, “These appointments reflect Alberta’s government commitment to providing Albertans with an accessible, efficient, and effective justice system.”
James Hunter, Chief Justice of the Alberta Court of Justice, also expressed his support, noting, “I welcome these three outstanding individuals to the Court of Justice. I know them to be hard-working and well-qualified and know they will help make their divisions and the court stronger. I thank the minister for his continued efforts in filling vacancies and his commitment to our court.”
The appointments come as part of a broader initiative to strengthen the judicial system in Alberta. In 2022, the government created four new judicial positions for the Alberta Court of Justice, adding three more in 2023, bringing the total to 143 justice positions.
Profiles of the appointed justices
Kanwarinder (Sony) Singh Ahluwalia, KC, brings a robust background in criminal law. He earned his bachelor of laws from the University of Windsor in 1994 and a master of laws from York University, Osgoode Law School in 2019. His career includes roles as a sole practitioner, Crown counsel for British Columbia, and legal counsel for various federal government departments. Since 2021, he has served as the deputy chief prosecutor for Alberta Justice. Ahluwalia will join the Edmonton Criminal Division on May 27, 2024.
Monica Brown specializes in family law and currently serves as a principal mediator and arbitrator at Brown Resolutions in Red Deer. She graduated with a bachelor of laws from the University of Calgary in 1997 and has experience in civil law, real estate law, and wills and estates. Brown’s appointment to the central region will commence on May 24, 2024.
William Hendsbee, KC, is a seasoned lawyer with extensive experience in personal injury law. He received his bachelor of laws from the University of Alberta in 1993 and has been a partner at Cummings Andrews Mackay LLP in Edmonton since 1996. Hendsbee also served as a bencher with the Law Society of Alberta from 2018 to 2024, including a term as president in 2023-24. He will start his role in the Edmonton region on July 2, 2024.
Appointment process
The process for appointing justices in Alberta involves several steps. Lawyers with at least ten years at the bar can apply, with applications reviewed by the Alberta Judicial Council. The council makes recommendations to the Alberta Judicial Nominating Committee, which in turn recommends candidates to the Minister of Justice.
The final recommendations are then presented to the cabinet for approval.
