Robert Wells

Robert Wells (August 28, 1933 – October 28, 2020) was a Canadian lawyer, politician and judge in Newfoundland. He represented St. John's South from 1972 to 1975 and Kilbride from 1975 to 1979 in the Newfoundland House of Assembly. He sat on the Supreme Court of Newfoundland and Labrador from 1986 to 2008.

Legal career On his return to Newfoundland, Wells was employed in the civil service as an economist, later working in the Justice department as a Crown attorney and departmental advisor from 1959 to 1962. He started practising law in St. John's that same year, concentrating on criminal and civil law. Wells was named Queen's Counsel in 1972. He had a general litigation practice, including using alternative dispute resolution methods such as mediation and arbitration. Wells continued his private practice until he was appointed to the Trial Division of the Supreme Court of Newfoundland in 1986. He served as a judge for 22 years before retiring in 2008.

Leadership in the legal profession Wells was president of the Law Society of Newfoundland from 1977 to 1981. During his tenure as president, he advocated for legal reforms, such as more expansive freedom of information to information held by the government and greater discretion for judges in sentencing. He opposed bills concerning imprisonment and conditional release, on the basis that these would not ameliorate the legal system. Wells was also active in legal organizations that work to improve human rights internationally and in developing countries. One of his key recommendations was that an independent safety regulator be created for the offshore, and given a clear and unambiguous safety mandate.

After the inquiry concluded, Wells continued to be an advocate for greater legal regulation for the safety of off-shore activities. He appeared before a parliamentary committee in Ottawa in 2013, testifying in support of a bill to strengthen off-shore safety.

Community service Wells served as chair of the board for the Janeway Child Health Centre.

Honours 1970 Honorary Membership in the Canadian Police Association