The Hon. George Phillips

This oral history interview with Justice George A. Phillips provides a comprehensive account of his life from his birth in Cornwall, Ontario in 1931 through his judicial career. Phillips came from a prominent Cornwall family – his grandfather Gordon Ross Phillips was a former mayor, and his uncles Dr. J.A. Phillips and Neil Phillips also served as mayors. After completing his legal education at Osgoode Hall and articling in Cornwall, Phillips practiced law in St. Catharines with Lancaster, Mix & Welch before joining Swift Canadian’s legal department in Toronto for a decade.

In 1970, Phillips moved to St. Thomas, Ontario, where he quickly became involved in community activities and Progressive Conservative politics, managing several election campaigns including Ron McNeil’s successful 1971 provincial campaign. He practiced law briefly with Frank Sanders before establishing a partnership with Bill Herold. His community involvement included serving as president of the Rotary Club and working with various local organizations.

Phillips was appointed as a Provincial Court Judge for Elgin County in December 1974, serving as the sole full-time judge for the region until his retirement in 1996. He then worked as a per diem judge for another ten years, which he described as the most enjoyable period of his career. During his time on the bench, Phillips heard a wide variety of cases and implemented innovative sentencing approaches, including community service programs for young offenders and eliminating jail alternatives for fine defaults. He also presided over significant cases involving Native hunting rights and weapons collections, demonstrating his commitment to thorough legal research and community-focused justice.

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