News Releases

News Release - Manitoba

February 21, 2020

Province Announces Appointment of Provincial Court Judges in Dauphin



The Manitoba government has appointed Geoffrey Bayly and Christina Cheater as judges for the Provincial Court of Manitoba in Dauphin, Justice Minister Cliff Cullen announced today.

“It is an honour to appoint two dedicated, knowledgeable and experienced lawyers as judges in the provincial court in Dauphin,” said Cullen.  “Their expertise and commitment to the legal system will be invaluable following their appointment to the bench.”

Cheater has served as a Crown prosecutor with the Public Prosecution Service of Canada since she was called to the bar in 2005.  She is currently the only federal Crown prosecutor assigned to Dauphin, Swan River, Roblin, Brandon, Virden and surrounding areas.  Cheater serves as an advisor to the Royal Canadian Mounted Police, Brandon Police Service, Winnipeg Police Service and various federal agencies on legal issues that arise with their investigations.  This year, she also helped with the development of the Westman Drug Treatment Court.  Cheater has also volunteered as a soccer and baseball coach, and most recently as a volunteer with the Broncos Football Club.

Bayly has been a criminal prosecutor since he was called to the bar in 2002.  Since 2018, he has been a senior supervising Crown attorney with Manitoba Prosecution Service, where he mentors and manages a group of independent Crown attorneys while continuing to prosecute dangerous offenders and other high-profile cases.  He provides local police advice on these matters, represents the Crown at Mental Health Review Board hearings and litigates issues surrounding not criminally responsible hearings.  Bayly is an avid runner and has participated in a number of charity runs including Run for Literacy, as well as the Manitoba Marathon, and the Winnipeg Fire Paramedic and Winnipeg Police Service half marathons.  He is also a long-time volunteer at his children’s school.

Bayly and Cheater were selected from a list of candidates recommended by an independent judicial nominating committee, chaired by Chief Judge Margaret Wiebe.  The committee also included three community representatives as well as representatives from the Law Society of Manitoba, the Manitoba branch of the Canadian Bar Association and a provincial court judge.  The appointments are effective immediately.

Official swearing-in ceremonies will be scheduled in the near future.

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