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Increased number of homicides doesn’t bode well for overworked N.L. prosecutors, association says
There are 17 homicide cases before the courts in Newfoundland and Labrador, and the head of the association that represents local prosecutors says the higher-than-normal caseload will be difficult to handle.
[ ...More ]Publication date : 2023-09-07
Manitoba adds 25 Crown attorneys to prosecution service amid workload issues
The Manitoba government hopes to add about two dozen more prosecutors and assistants to the prosecution service, which attorneys say has been struggling to keep up amid workload and workforce issues. Manitoba Association of Crown Attorneys says province left group out of discussions.
[ ...More ]Publication date : 2023-06-26
Les Leyne: Premier David Eby takes on lawyers — again
The B.C. NDP government has introduced a one-page bill that bestows the right to join a union on the 350 lawyers who work for government. There’s a catch. It herds them into a union the government prefers, the Professional Employees Association, rather than allowing them to form their own.
[ ...More ]Publication date : 2023-05-06
‘Unfair labour practice’: B.C. government accused of blocking union bid by its own lawyers
Lawyers for the B.C. government say the province has ended negotiations with them ahead of legislation they claim aims to block their right to form their own union.
[ ...More ]Publication date : 2023-05-04
N.B. prosecutors say recent sexual assault stay is evidence of resource shortage
New Brunswick’s justice system is reaching a crisis point. Urgent calls have been made to address the provincial criminal justice system after a decision was made to stay a sexual assault case due to the lack of prosecutors. According to the New Brunswick Crown Prosecutors Association, the judge’s decision, made in Moncton last Friday, is directly linked to the shortage of resources.
[ ...More ]Publication date : 2023-03-01
Delays prompt judge to stay charges against man accused of sexual assault
Charges were stayed in Moncton provincial court Friday against a man accused of sexual assault, with the judge agreeing with the defence that the accused had waited too long to be tried. Meanwhile, New Brunswick Crown Prosecutors Association, representing Crown attorneys, saying staffing shortages in their ranks are at crisis levels.
[ ...More ]Publication date : 2023-02-24
Rick Woodburn
President, Canadian Association of Crown Counsel
Rick is a Senior Crown Attorney currently practicing as a front line prosecutor with the Nova Scotia Public Prosecution Service. He began his prosecuting career right out of law school for the Halifax Regional Municipality, and shortly thereafter, he moved to the Public Prosecution Service.
As a member of the Nova Scotia Crown Attorneys’ Association (NSCAA), Rick became Vice President in 2002 and became President shortly thereafter. He remained President until 2013, and continued to lead the NSCAA Bargaining Committee to the completion of its first Employment Agreement in 2014.
Further to his role in the NSCAA, Rick has been involved in the Canadian Association of Crown Counsel for the past 10 years. He has had the pleasure of serving as Vice President for two years, before becoming President in 2012.
Rick holds a B.A. and a Master’s degree from Saint Mary’s University and an LL.B. from Dalhousie University Law School.
