Senior Master Hugh Sedgwick

This comprehensive oral history interview with Master Hugh Sedgwick covers his distinguished legal career spanning from the 1950s through the 1990s. Born in 1930 to lawyer Joseph Sedgwick, Hugh followed in his father’s footsteps after an extensive education at St. Andrew’s College, McGill University, and Cambridge University. He was called to the bar in 1957 and initially practiced criminal law, family law, and civil litigation with his father and Phil Isbister before moving to Smith, Rae, Greer.

Sedgwick’s career took several interesting turns, including serving as duty counsel under early legal aid programs, working as Director of Legal Services at the Toronto Stock Exchange from 1975, and serving on the Commercial Registration Tribunal. His connection to the Masters’ Office began during his articling years at Mason, Foulds, where he frequently appeared before Masters Marriott and Kimber. This relationship with Master Jack Kimber ultimately led to his appointment as Master in 1979 by Attorney General Roy McMurtry.

The interview provides detailed insights into the operations of the Masters’ Office during a period of significant change. Sedgwick served as Senior Master from 1987 under Liberal Attorney General Ian Scott, and witnessed the controversial decision to phase out the Masters’ Office through attrition as part of Scott’s court reorganization in the early 1990s. Despite the Zuber Report recommending expansion of the Masters’ system, Scott chose elimination instead, allowing existing Masters to continue until age 75 while appointing no replacements. Sedgwick transitioned to part-time status in 1994, continuing to serve while drawing his pension. His account offers valuable perspective on the evolution of Ontario’s civil procedure system and the political forces that shaped judicial administration during the late 20th century.

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