Faye McWatt

The Honourable Faye E. McWatt is the Associate Chief Justice of the Superior Court of Justice of Ontario, Canada. Appointed to this position on 21 December 2020, she provides leadership and administrative oversight for the court, including the Divisional Court and the Small Claims Court. She brings a wealth of experience to the position, with 14 years practising law and over 20 years as a judge in Ontario. She graduated with a Bachelor of Laws (LL.B.) from the University of Ottawa in 1984 and was called to the Ontario Bar in 1986.

Legal career

Private practice Following her admission to the bar, McWatt embarked on a diverse legal career that spanned multiple areas of practice. She served as a Crown attorney practising criminal law, where she developed extensive expertise in criminal prosecution. She also worked as a criminal defence lawyer, gaining experience on both sides of the criminal justice system.

Judicial career

Initial appointment McWatt was appointed to the Superior Court of Justice of Ontario in 2000.

McWatt also serves as a member of the Canadian Judicial Council, which works to improve the quality of judicial service in the superior courts of Canada. In this capacity, she contributes to national initiatives on judicial education, ethics, and court administration.

Her appointment as Associate Chief Justice represents an important milestone in the diversity of Ontario's judicial leadership. As one of the few Black women to hold such a senior position in the Canadian judiciary, McWatt's appointment reflects the increasing recognition of the importance of diversity in judicial leadership.

Professional contributions and recognition

McWatt is among a small group of Black female judges in Ontario, following pioneers such as Justice Micheline Rawlins, who was the first Black woman appointed to the Ontario Court of Justice in 1992.