Queens County lawyer appointed human rights commission adjudicator

Five new adjudicators were named to the Nova Scotia Human Rights Commission on Monday. (Photo by Markus Spiske via Unsplash)

A Queens County lawyer is one of five new adjudicators for the Nova Scotia Human Rights Commission.

Ryan Clements of Liverpool, who joined the Nova Scotia bar in January, will be part of a roster of 10 people who will chair independent human rights boards of inquiry.

Clements has practised in Toronto, British Columbia, Nunavut and the Northwest Territories.

He is the son of Ford Clements, a former lawyer in Liverpool and a retired Ontario court judge. His grandfather Lester Clements was a Nova Scotia Supreme Court judge. 

Adjudicators hear cases when a claim of discrimination can’t be settled through a dispute resolution process.

On his website, Clements says he has experience in criminal and administrative law and professional discipline cases.

He says he has “defended and prosecuted criminal and professional discipline cases for over a decade”, and that he has served as an adjudicator on administrative tribunals.

The other new adjudicators announced Monday are Simeon Atunbi, Nancy Elliott and Kelly McMillan, all of Halifax, and Tuma Young of Eskasoni.

Perry Borden, chief judge of the provincial and family courts, chaired a six-member selection committee to go over the candidate after a call for applications in November.

Five other adjudicators were reappointed. They are Lynn Connors of Kentville, Dennis James of Truro, Donald Murray of Dartmouth, and Benjamin Perryman and Eric Slone of Halifax.

Adjudicators are appointed for five-year terms.

Email: rickconradqccr@gmail.com