Nancy Orr will be P.E.I.'s next chief provincial court judge

Judge Nancy Orr, a 20-year veteran of the P.E.I.'s provincial court, has been promoted to chief judge.

"Years of distinguished service on the provincial court bench uniquely qualify her to be the court's new chief," Premier Wade MacLauchlan, also Minister of Justice and Public Safety and Attorney General, said in a written release Friday. 

Her work will make her a role model for young women.— Jane Ledwell, PEI Advisory Council on the Status of Women

"She is a well-respected jurist and will serve Islanders well in this new role."

Orr became the provincial court's first female judge when she was appointed in 1995, and she'll be the first woman to serve as chief judge when she is sworn in Dec. 2. 

"We are encouraged to see a woman of great accomplishment being appointed to a key leadership position in the justice system," said Jane Ledwell, executive director of the PEI Advisory Council on the Status of Women. 

"Her work will make her a role model for young women and under-represented groups and will no doubt inspire those who come after her."

Replacing Judge John Douglas

She replaces Judge John Douglas, who has served as chief judge since 2000.

"My successor in the position has shown dedication and commitment to her work on the bench, and I look forward to continuing to work with Chief Judge Orr as she takes on this new responsibility," said Judge Douglas.

While serving her five-year term as chief judge, Orr will continue to hear cases in provincial court. She is also a part-time circuit court judge in the Wellness Court of the Yukon Territory.

The chief judge administers the provincial court and assigns duties to Judge Douglas and Judge Jeffrey Lantz who sit in Charlottetown, Summerside, and Georgetown. 

Prior to her tenure on the Provincial Court, Orr was a legal aid lawyer for years.