Saskatchewan names first associate judges to King's Bench

Five lawyers joined a new associate-judge tier on Saskatchewan’s Court of King’s Bench October 1, when the King’s Bench Amendment Act, 2026, took effect.

The province appointed Louis Browne, K.C., Darcia Connelly and Rani Grewall in Regina, and Cynthia Yelland in Saskatoon. It also named the Registrar in Bankruptcy, Alexander Shalashniy of Regina, an associate judge, which the release says gives that office judicial independence and authority.

The government makes the appointments on the Chief Justice’s recommendation. According to the release, every appointee has belonged to a Canadian bar in good standing for at least 10 years.

The province said the new tier of associate judges will add capacity for the court to handle civil and family matters.

Chief Justice M.D. Popescul called the appointments an important step in modernizing the courts. He said the associate judges will help support access to justice and resolve matters on time in a busy, increasingly complex system.

Justice Minister and Attorney General Tim McLeod, K.C., said the appointees will help the court respond to growing demand and support timely access to justice for Saskatchewan residents.

The Act also sets up a compensation commission and a complaint review council, which will follow rules and procedures like those already used in Saskatchewan courts.