NEW JUDGE APPOINTED IN ESTEVAN

Released on December 10, 2003

James Benison has been appointed a judge of the Provincial Court for Estevan.

Judge Benison has been practising as a lawyer in Shaunavon since 1980. Prior to attending law school in 1976, he taught French and Spanish in Glasgow, Scotland from 1960 to 1969, and French and English in Carrot River from 1969 to 1976.

Judge Benison received his Master of Arts in French and Spanish from the University of Glasgow in 1959 and completed a Teacher's Certificate from the Jordanhill College of Education (Scotland) in 1960. Following his 16-year teaching experience, Judge Benison attended the Faculty of Law at the University of Saskatchewan and was called to the Bar in 1980.

Besides practising law in Shaunavon for the past 23 years, Judge Benison has also been active in several community activities including the Knights of Columbus, Cypress Hills Ability Centres, Parish Council, Duplicate Bridge Club, Rotary, and Pasquia and Rock Creek Golf Clubs. He was also a member of the Saskatchewan Institute of Applied Science and Technology Board of Directors from 1992 to 2000. Currently, Judge Benison is a member of the Shaunavon Economic Development Committee and Vice-chair of the Cypress Hills Regional Health Authority.

"Judge Benison's extensive legal experience and outstanding community involvement will be assets to his new role as a Provincial Court judge," Justice Minister Frank Quennell said.

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For More Information, Contact:

Andrew Dinsmore Justice Regina Phone: (306)787-8606 Email: adinsmore@justice.gov.sk.ca