Chief Judge Melissa Gillespie has announced the appointment of two new judges.

It is my great pleasure and privilege to announce that the Lieutenant Governor in Council has signed Orders in Council appointing two new judges to the Provincial Court. The new judge appointments are Michael Fortino and Michael Libby. 

Judge Fortino 

Judge Fortino will be sworn in on September 27, 2024. He will be assigned to the Fraser region with chambers in Chilliwack. 

Judge Fortino is currently Deputy Regional Crown Counsel in the Fraser region. He received his LLB in 2008 from the University of British Columbia and his LLM in 2023 from Osgoode Hall Law School. Before joining the Crown Counsel Office in Surrey in April 2012, he was defence counsel for three years. In the Surrey office, he has held many positions including trial Crown, Administrative Crown counsel-major crime, A/Deputy Director, Special Projects. 

Judge Libby

Judge Libby will be sworn in on September 27, 2024. He will be assigned to the Fraser region with chambers in Surrey. 

Judge Libby has an interesting and varied practice that includes many years acting as ad hoc Crown counsel and defence counsel in criminal matters. He authors a Motor Vehicle Act Desk Manual that is one of the most reliable resource books for lawyers and judicial officers who are involved in traffic related matters. Judge Libby also has significant insurance litigation experience, as the managing partner at an insurance defence firm. He has a rich history of volunteerism in the legal profession including as a program director for the Vancouver Inns of Court for more than 20 years. He was appointed King’s Counsel in 2023. 

The Court congratulates its newest colleagues on their appointments and welcomes them to the Provincial Court.