The Hon. Maurice Cullity

Justice Maurice Cullity provides a comprehensive account of his journey from Australian-born law student to Canadian Superior Court judge. Born in Western Australia in 1935, he studied law at the University of Western Australia, earned his B.C.L. at Oxford’s Wadham College, and taught there before becoming a senior lecturer at the University of Melbourne. In 1973, he joined Osgoode Hall Law School, where he taught trusts and estate planning until 1979.

Cullity then transitioned to private practice at Davies, Ward & Beck, specializing in estate planning, tax litigation, and will drafting. His practice included significant work with trusts, estate freezes, and international tax planning. He was actively involved in professional organizations including the Law Society of Upper Canada as a Bencher (1987-1995) and the International Academy of Estate and Trust Law. His expertise in estate law led to collaborations on major texts including the third edition of Probate Practice with Rodney Hull.

Appointed to the Ontario Superior Court of Justice in 1997, Cullity reflects on the evolution of estate law over his career, including the abolition of estate taxes, the introduction of the Substitute Decisions Act, and procedural changes following the merger of Surrogate Courts into the Superior Court. His judicial work has encompassed estates, family law, and class action litigation, with particular attention to how traditional estate law principles adapt to modern procedural rules.

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