
Federal Court of Appeal overturns decision requiring action on judicial vacancies
OTTAWA — A panel of judges has overturned a court ruling that directed the federal government to step up the pace of judicial appointments to address an “untenable” number of vacancies.
The Federal Court of Appeal allowed the government’s challenge of the ruling, saying the Federal Court lacked jurisdiction to hear the case in the first place.
In a February 2024 ruling, Federal Court Justice Henry Brown said constitutional convention requires Ottawa to appoint a new judge to a vacancy within a reasonable period of time.
The government asked the Federal Court of Appeal to set aside the judgment and dismiss the underlying application brought by lawyer Yavar Hameed.