The Hon. Ross Fair

This oral history interview with Judge Ross Fair chronicles his judicial career from his appointment as Provincial Court Judge and Juvenile Court Judge in April 1966 through his retirement in October 1992. Fair describes the complex judicial landscape of the 1960s, where family and juvenile matters were handled by a mix of magistrates, county court judges, and lay persons, and his role in the gradual professionalization of the family court system. Though initially planning to focus on criminal court work, he became deeply involved in family court matters and eventually became a Senior Judge in 1977.

The interview covers Fair’s involvement in developing the Family and Juvenile Court Judges Association, his efforts to address inadequate facilities and resources, and his judicial philosophy in handling cases involving children and families across various Ontario jurisdictions. Fair discusses his serious illness with tuberculosis in 1984-1985, which led to his transition from senior responsibilities in Central West Ontario to working between Kingston and Brockville courts to be closer to his grandchildren. The interview also details the salary negotiations surrounding his original appointment, where he successfully negotiated an increase from the initially offered $12,000 to $14,000-15,000, viewing the judicial role as a temporary 4-5 year commitment motivated by concerns about juvenile court conditions. After retirement, Fair continued mediation work and remained involved in family court reform while expressing concerns about the Young Offenders Act and treatment of children with learning disabilities in the justice system.

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