Each year the provincial court handles more than 100,000 criminal cases, 17,000 family and child protection cases, and about 10,000 civil cases. These appointments fill four existing vacancies and are being made to the Edmonton Region, the Edmonton Criminal Division and the Southern Region.
“The Provincial Court of Alberta plays an essential role in our society, the justice system and in protecting public safety. I congratulate these four judges on their new roles, with each of them bringing a great deal of expertise and experience to the bench. They will serve the justice system and Albertans well by upholding the rule of law through the administration of Alberta’s justice system.”
“I am very pleased that these timely appointments are occurring at this time and in regions that have a significant need for judicial resources. I offer my congratulations to each of these new judges and welcome them to the Provincial Court of Alberta.”
Biographies
Andrea Hemmerling received a bachelor of arts in 1994 and a bachelor of laws in 2002, both from the University of Alberta. She was admitted to the Alberta bar in 2003. She most recently operated her own practice in the Cold Lake area. She has been appointed to fill an existing vacancy in the Edmonton Region of the Provincial Court of Alberta, effective Nov. 1.
Mark Mastel received a bachelor of arts in 2004 from the University of Calgary and a bachelor of laws from the University of Saskatchewan in 2007. He was admitted to the Northwest Territories bar in 2008 and the Alberta bar in 2009. He served most recently as the deputy chief prosecutor of Regional Prosecutions, Justice and Solicitor General. He has been appointed to fill an existing vacancy in the Southern Region of the Provincial Court of Alberta, effective Nov. 7.
Jeffrey Morrison received a master of arts in 1988 from Ohio State University, a bachelor of laws from Osgoode Hall Law School in 1992 and a master of laws from Brigham Young University in 1993. He served as the chief Crown prosecutor in Fort Saskatchewan and Wetaskiwin and was most recently on special assignment for Regional Prosecutions, Justice and Solicitor General. He has been appointed to fill an existing vacancy in the Edmonton Region of the Provincial Court of Alberta, which took effect on Oct. 17.
Suzanne Polkosnik, KC, received a bachelor of arts in 1987 from McGill University and a bachelor of laws from Osgoode Hall Law School, York University in 1992. She was admitted to the Alberta bar in 1993. She was most recently a partner with Swainson Miki Peskett LLP in Edmonton. She has been appointed to fill an existing vacancy in the Edmonton Criminal Division of the Provincial Court of Alberta, effective Nov. 14.
Quick facts
- Lawyers with at least 10 years at the bar can apply to become a provincial court judge.
- Applications are considered first by the Alberta Judicial Council, which makes recommendations to the Provincial Court Nominating Committee.
- The committee makes recommendations to the minister of justice, who then makes recommendations to cabinet.