Russell MacKay has been appointed to the bench of the British Columbia Provincial Court in Chilliwack, Attorney General Wally Oppal announced today.

He will take his seat effective Feb. 22.

MacKay has practised law in Vancouver for 27 years, most recently with the Granville Law Group. His practice has focused on criminal and youth matters, where he has represented people from a broad spectrum of cultural and ethnic backgrounds. MacKay has chaired the Trial Lawyers Association of British Columbia's criminal defence litigation group since 2001.

The process to appoint judges involves several steps. Interested lawyers apply and the B.C. Judicial Council, a committee made up of the chief judge, other judges, lawyers and lay people, then reviews the candidates.

The council recommends potential judges to the attorney general, with the final appointment made through a cabinet order-in-council. More information about the appointment process can be found at: www.provincialcourt.bc.ca.

Contributed by Ministry of Attorney General and Minister responsible for Multiculturalism