The Hon. Lloyd Budgell

Justice Lloyd Budgell describes his extensive career as a family court judge in Welland, Ontario, spanning from 1970 to 2004. Born in Newfoundland, Budgell attended Albert College and Queen’s University before articling in Toronto and practicing law in Welland with Kovacs, Forestell & Luciani. His interview provides detailed insights into the evolution of family and youth courts, including the transition from the Juvenile Delinquents Act to the Young Offenders Act and Youth Criminal Justice Act.

Budgell discusses the dramatic changes in his workload over 34 years, particularly the explosion in child welfare cases and the increased formalization of court procedures. He reflects on judicial administration, including his work with Chief Judge Ted Andrews and Associate Chief Judge Bob Walmsley, and his involvement with the Ontario Conference of Judges on salary and benefits negotiations. The interview also covers practical aspects of family court work, including custody decisions, support enforcement, juvenile sentencing, and the introduction of duty counsel and settlement conferences.

Throughout the interview, Budgell demonstrates a pragmatic judicial philosophy emphasizing compromise and practical solutions while maintaining appropriate boundaries. His perspective offers valuable insights into the transformation of Ontario’s provincial court system and the challenges facing family courts in dealing with increasingly complex social problems.

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