Vancouver – The death on Thursday of Chief Provincial Court Judge Hugh Stansfield is a truly sad passing of a much-loved man dedicated to promoting public access to justice, said Law Society of BC President Gordon Turriff, QC.
“Chief Judge Stansfield was passionate about making his court accessible and he was very good about getting people to share his passion,” said Turriff. “This is a very big loss for British Columbia.”
Stansfield continued to work until his death despite his illness and had been scheduled to meet with the Law Society’s access to justice committee on Thursday. He was a man who invited people to call him by his first name, Turriff said. “He was known among his judicial colleagues as ‘Hugh the Good’ and he was loved by everyone.”
Tim McGee, the law society’s chief executive officer, said Stansfield was dedicated to educating the public about the legal system and was the main speaker at the Law Society’s most recent Media and the Courts workshop in Victoria.
“He was the kind of man who would also take the time to talk to law society staff about the courts and the law,” said McGee, adding he was well regarded by the media. Turriff and McGee extended the Law Society’s condolences to Stansfield’s wife Jo-Ann and sons Colin, David, Patrick and Matthew.
A service will be held in the Great Hall at Robson Square at 9 a.m. on Thursday, June 4, 2009.
The Law Society of BC was incorporated in 1884 and is the governing body of the legal profession in BC. Under the provisions of the Legal Profession Act, the Law Society is responsible for the licensing, professional conduct and discipline of the more than 11,000 lawyers in BC.
For further information contact:
Michael Bernard, Manager, Communications & Public Affairs
604-697-5838 or cell 604 341 4535
mbernard@lsbc.org