Premier Pat Binns and Attorney General Jamie Ballem took part in an official naming ceremony today for the Honourable C.R. McQuaid Family Law Centre named in honour of former Justice Charles R. McQuaid. Justice McQuaid was the only judge to sit on the Bench in family law cases for a period of time following the enactment of the former Family Law Reform Act.
“Justice Charles R. McQuaid was a pioneer in interpreting the Family Law Reform Act and set bench mark decisions in the area of family law,” said Premier Binns. “Naming the Family Law Centre after a man who has made such significant contributions in the area of family law is a very fitting tribute to Justice McQuaid’s work and dedication in the area of family law.”
Following his retirement from the Bench, Justice McQuaid continues to make contributions to the legal community through his research and writing. In the early 1990's, Justice McQuaid was commissioned to conduct an inquiry into Police and Department of Justice policies and procedures in cases of inter-spousal and intra- family violence. He has also written on such topics as women in the law and the evolution of the courts in Prince Edward Island. Each of Justice McQuaid’s projects has added to the legal community in this province.
Located in the Brecken Yates Building at 1 Harbourside Access Road, the Honourable C.R. McQuaid Family Law Centre includes Victim Services, the Maintenance Enforcement Program, the Child Support Guidelines Office, the Recalculation Office, the Parent Education Program, and the Family Court Counsellors. “The co-location of these services is an important step forward in improving access to justice services for families facing separation and divorce,” said Attorney General Ballem. “The past ten years have seen a number of advancements in this area, and this co-location will further assist us in addressing the needs of children and families.”