After almost 50 years in the legal profession — 23 of those as a judge of the Supreme Court of Nova Scotia — The Hon. Justice Robert W. Wright is retiring, effective today (Aug. 5).

“Justice Wright has always been recognized as a solid, fair and hard-working judge. He was always smiling and quick to offer his assistance with the administrative and committee work of the Supreme Court,” said The Hon. Deborah K. Smith, Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of Nova Scotia.

“He will long be remembered for his work to improve media access to the Courts in this province, and to help all justice system participants appreciate the important role that journalists play in maintaining public trust in the justice system. For that, and much more, we thank him and wish him all the best in retirement.”

Justice Wright is a native of Halifax, N. S., and a graduate from Mount Allison University (B. Comm in 1967) and Dalhousie (LLB in 1971).

He practiced law for 27 years, mostly in the field of civil litigation and Alternate Dispute Resolution (ADR). During that time, he was actively involved in the affairs of both the Nova Scotia Barristers’ Society and the Canadian Bar Association, serving on numerous committees, as well as Bar Council and the CBA Executive.

Among his many committee activities, Justice Wright was appointed the inaugural chair of the Advisory Committee on Provincial Judicial Appointments. He is a former president of the CBA – Nova Scotia Branch and a former Director and Management Board member of the Canadian Bar Insurance Association.

Justice Wright was appointed to the Supreme Court of Nova Scotia in 1998 and became a supernumerary judge in 2013.

In addition to having served on several court committees, including many years as the Supreme Court (General Division) representative on the Media Liaison Committee, Justice Wright is a former Nova Scotia Director and Council member of the Canadian Superior Court Judges Association.