Archived News Releases

May 1, 2003

Attorney General Gord Mackintosh has announced the appointment of Tim Preston and Fred Sandhu to the provincial court of Manitoba. The new judges will fill openings in Winnipeg and their appointments are effective immediately.

"It is an honour to appoint these individuals to the provincial court," said Mackintosh. "Both appointees have been committed to the community and their profession throughout their careers. Their extensive and diverse backgrounds will help make them a tremendous asset to Manitoba's justice system."

Fred Harinder Singh Sandhu graduated in law from the University of Manitoba in 1979. He has worked with Legal Aid Manitoba since his call to the bar, focusing on criminal law in the last fifteen years. In his position as a supervising attorney, Sandhu managed 16 other lawyers, three paralegals, three articling students and eight support staff. He has a broad-based reputation as a competent and trustworthy advocate. Sandhu is a Level 1 certified youth soccer coach and was involved in such endeavours as being a past member of the board of the Dauphin Friendship Centre.

Timothy James Preston graduated in law from the University of Manitoba in 1980. Preston has 21 years of litigation experience and has specialized in the area of criminal law. He has had extensive involvement in legal community outreach work.

He was a founding member of the Gay and Lesbian Lawyers Association, has been a volunteer lawyer for the Rainbow Resource Centre and a guest speaker for the Community Legal Education Association.

"Their qualifications are excellent, and I know they will continue to make an important contribution to the legal community in Manitoba," said Mackintosh.

The new judges were selected from a list of candidates recommended by an independent judicial nominating committee. The committee was chaired by the Chief Judge of the Provincial Court of Manitoba Raymond E. Wyant and included three community representatives, representatives of the Law Society of Manitoba and the Manitoba branch of the Canadian Bar Association, and a provincial court judge.

A swearing-in ceremony will be scheduled as soon as possible.

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