Catherine Fraser

For those of a similar name, see Katherine Fraser.

The Honourable Catherine Fraser
Fraser in May 2015
Chief Justice of Alberta
Incumbent
Assumed office 1992
Preceded by	James Herbert Laycraft
Chief Justice of Northwest Territories
Incumbent
Assumed office 1992
Administrator of Alberta
In office January 6, 2005 – January 20, 2005
Preceded by	Lois Hole
Succeeded by	Norman Kwong
Personal details
Born	(1947-08-04) August 4, 1947 Campbellton, New Brunswick
Residence	Edmonton, Alberta
Alma mater	University of Alberta London School of Economics
Occupation	lawyer/judge

The Hon. Catherine Anne Fraser (born August 4, 1947) was appointed as Chief Justice of Alberta and Chief Justice of Northwest Territories in 1992. She was named as the Chief Justice of the Nunavut Court of Appeal on March 24, 1999.

Early years

She was born in Campbellton, New Brunswick and moved to Edmonton in 1958. A graduate of the University of Alberta, she received Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of Laws degrees in 1969 and 1970 respectively. She received the George Bligh O'Connor Silver Medal in Law, awarded to the law student graduating with the second highest GPA over the three-year program. She also has a Master of Laws from the London School of Economics.

Career

Prior to her appointment to the bench, Fraser practised law with the firm of Lucas, Bishop and Fraser, and became a Queen's Counsel in 1983. She taught women and the law courses at the University of Alberta Faculty of Law

First appointed to the Court of Queen's Bench of Alberta in 1989 and subsequently to the Court of Appeal of Alberta in 1991, she became the first woman appointed Chief Justice of Alberta on March 12, 1992.

Fraser has also served on the Canadian Institute on the Administration of Justice, as chair of the Education Committee of the Canadian Judicial Council and as a member of the Council's Special Committee on Equality in the Courts.

Awards

She was recognized with a YWCA Tribute to Women Award. In 1996 she received the University of Alberta Alumni Association's Distinguished Alumni Award. On May 10, 2007, she received an Honorary Doctor of Laws degree from the University of Calgary.

External links

• Fraser appointment as Chief Justice of the Nunavut Court of Appeal

Order of precedence
Preceded by Rachel Notley, Premier of Alberta	Order of precedence in Alberta as of 2013	Succeeded by Norman Kwong, Former Lieutenant Governor of Alberta