Supreme Court of Newfoundland and Labrador


The Supreme Court of Newfoundland and Labrador is the superior court for the Canadian province of Newfoundland and Labrador. The Supreme Court has jurisdiction to hear appeals in both criminal and civil matters from the Provincial Court and designated boards and administrative tribunals. The court also hear serious criminal cases in the first instances, matters of probate, and family law matters.
The Supreme Court consists of 29 judicial seats including the position of Chief Justice. Of the current justices, 4 sit with supernumerary status.

About the Court

The Court is composed of the General Division and Family Division, and has the authority to hear a wide range of cases including civil and criminal matters, matters of estates and guardianship, and family matters. The Court has the authority to hear appeals of specific matters not under jurisdiction of the province's appellate court.
The Court is located in six regions of the province: Corner Brook, Gander, Grand Bank, Grand Falls-Windsor, Happy Valley-Goose Bay, and St. John's.

Current justices

NameAppointedDivisionLocationNominated byPrior position
Chief Justice Raymond P. Whalen
December 11, 2014
TrialSt. John'sHarper
Justice Valerie L. MarshallTrialSt. John'sHarperSolo Practitioner
Justice Rosalie McGrathFamilySt. John'sHarper
Justice Laura A. MennieFamilyCorner BrookHarperProvincial court
Newfoundland Department of
Legal Aid
Poole, Althouse
Justice George L. MurphyFamilyCorner BrookHarperPoole Althouse
Justice Jane M. FitzpatrickFamilySt. John'sHarper
Justice Cillian D. SheahanFamilySt. John'sHarper
Justice Sandra R. ChaytorTrialSt. John'sTrudeauCox & Palmer
Justice Vikas KhaladkarTrialSt. John'sTrudeau
Justice Alexander S. MacDonaldTrialSt. John'sTrudeau
Justice Michelle CoadyFamilySt. John'sTrudeau
Justice Peter BrowneTrialSt. John'sTrudeau
Justice Irene MuzychkaTrialSt. John'sTrudeau
Justice Trudy ButtonTrialSt. John'sTrudeau
Justice Stacy RyanTrialHappy Valley-Goose BayTrudeau
Justice Peter O'FlahertyTrialSt. John'sTrudeau
Justice Philip OsborneTrialSt. John'sTrudeau
Justice Melanie Del RizzoTrialGrand Falls-WindsorTrudeau
Justice Thomas JohnsonTrialCorner BrookTrudeau
Justice Leanne O'LearyTrialGanderTrudeau
Justice David ConwayTrialGrand BankTrudeau
Justice Stephanie HickmanFamilySt. John'sTrudeau
Justice Trina SimmsTrialSt. John'sTrudeau
Justice Dean PorterTrialSt. John'sTrudeau
Justice Justin MellorTrialSt. John'sTrudeau