Peter Griffiths

This interview chronicles the distinguished legal career of Justice Peter Griffiths, from his early days as a Crown Attorney to his role as Associate Chief Justice of the Ontario Court of Justice. Born in New York in 1948 and immigrating to Canada in 1963, Griffiths studied at Queen’s University and Osgoode Hall Law School before being called to the bar in 1976. After working briefly at Hamilton, Marks & Duchart, he became a Crown Attorney in 1979, handling several high-profile cases including R. v. Zundel (Holocaust denial), R. v. Squires (courthouse filming), and the Patti Starr corruption case.

Appointed as Associate Chief Justice of the Ontario Court of Justice in July 2007, Griffiths served a six-year term focused on modernizing court operations and expanding access to justice. His tenure was marked by significant technological advances, including the transition from print to digital legal resources and the implementation of electronic court systems. He championed the expansion of specialty courts such as mental health courts, domestic violence courts, and drug treatment courts. His administrative responsibilities included chairing the Ontario Judicial Council and Education Secretariat, overseeing judicial education programs, and managing judicial conduct matters. Griffiths retired in 2013, leaving a legacy of innovation in court administration and a commitment to improving public access to the justice system.

This description was written by AI and may contain some inaccuracies.