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New Provincial Court judges named in Surrey, Abbotsford

Two new judges to serve in Surrey, one appointed by the province to Abbotsford courthouse
12642BCLN2007Justicestatue
Courthouses in Surrey and Abbotsford are getting new Provincial Court judges.

The province has appointed five new Provincial Court judges, including two to be posted in Surrey and one in Abbotsford.

Judge Valliammai Chettiar and Judge Kathryn Ferriss will serve out of the Surrey courthouse, while Judge Jay Solomon is assigned to Abbotsford.

Chettiar has extensive experience as a civil lawyer, Solomon was a criminal defence and personal injury lawyer, while Ferriss was a family lawyer primarily represented legal aid clients.

Two other Provincial Court judges include one posted to Victoria and another yet to be assigned.

Meanwhile, a judge who graduated from UBC and the University of Victoria is the newest appointment to the Supreme Court of Canada. Justice Russell Brown, previously an Alberta Court of Appeal judge, was appointed in July by Prime Minister Stephen Harper.

Brown's appointment has been viewed by some observers as an attempt to place a more conservative voice on the high court after rulings against the federal government on multiple fronts, including mandatory minimum sentences, prostitution and medical marijuana.