Ian Binnie judges the judges at Coxford Lecture
February 17, 2012
The Honourable Ian Binnie, Retired Justice of the Supreme Court of Canada, delivered the Fourth annual Coxford Lecture to a full house at Western Law on February 16.
His lecture, "Judging the Judges: May they boldly go where Justice Rand went before", highlighted the importance of judicial creativity – and modesty – in interpreting the constitution and the principles that underlie it.
Binnie lauded Justice Rand, Western Law's founding dean, and praised his willingness to shape the law of the constitution to do justice in Roncarelli v Duplessis and the implied rights cases.
The entertaining and informative lecture was followed by a lively question and answer period.
Professor Grant Huscroft said: "The Coxford Lecture is the most prestigious annual event in public law at Western, and it is a privilege to have a jurist of Justice Binnie's stature deliver it. Justice Binnie has made an enormous contribution to Canadian law over his stellar career, and served on the Supreme Court of Canada with great distinction."
The Coxford Lecture is generously supported by Stephen Coxford ’77, Chair of Western University’s Board of Governors (pictured left).
“This outstanding lecture series has done much to expand our global perspective on issues in public law, and this would not be possible if not for the generosity of a proud Western Law alumnus and a great friend of our University—Steve Coxford,” said Western University President Amit Chakma.
