In Memoriam: Chief Justice Richard J. Scott
UM Faculty of Law remembers distinguished alum, educator, and longest-serving chief justice of Manitoba
With profound sadness the Faculty of Law mourns the passing of Justice Richard Scott, O.C., O.M., K.C., a towering figure in Manitoba’s legal community. Justice Scott, who served as Chief Justice of the Manitoba Court of Appeal for 22 years until his retirement in 2013, passed away on Thursday, November 21, 2024 at the age of 86.
Justice Scott was the province’s longest-serving Chief Justice, known for his deep intellect and sound judgment, his kindness, humility, and unwavering commitment to justice. A distinguished graduate of the University of Manitoba’s Faculty of Law, Justice Scott began his career as a civil litigator before ascending through the judiciary to lead Manitoba’s highest court.
“Justice Scott’s impact on the law in Manitoba and Canada is immeasurable,” said Dr. Richard Jochelson, Dean of Law. “Beyond the courtroom, his legacy of leadership, mentorship, and integrity set a standard to which we all aspire.”
Among his many notable contributions was presiding over the landmark case of R. v. Lavallee, which recognized “battered woman syndrome” in Canadian law—a decision that demonstrated his courage and compassion in the pursuit of justice. Beyond his judicial duties, Justice Scott played key roles in shaping the ethical framework for Canada’s judiciary through his work with the Canadian Judicial Council.
Justice Scott graduated from the University of Manitoba with a Bachelor of Arts in 1959 and a Bachelor of Laws in 1963. Upon his law school graduation and call to the bar, he became an associate at Thompson, Dilts, Jones, Hall, Dewar & Ritchie (now TDS) where he had worked throughout his law school studies. He later became a partner and in 1976, was made a member of the Queen’s Counsel (now K.C.). He and was appointed to the bench in 1985, and promoted to Associate Chief Justice three months later. In 1990 he was appointed to the Manitoba Court of Appeal as the 10th Chief Justice of Manitoba. After retiring in 2013 Joined Hill Sokalski Walsh Olson in 2015 as a lawyer conducting arbitration and mediation practice.
Justice Scott continued to serve the profession even after retirement, demonstrating his lifelong dedication to the law and the principles it upholds. The Law Society of Manitoba’s Richard J. Scott Award, established in 2013 in his honour, is presented annually to an individual who advances the rule of law and contributes to a strong and independent legal profession through advocacy, litigation, teaching, research, writing or mentoring.
Faculty of Law professor, Darcy L. MacPherson, interviewed Justice Scott in 2011 (see: “An Interview with Chief Justice Richard J. Scott,”pages 1 to 30) for The Manitoba Law Journal’s Volume 36 Issue 1 titled Five Decades of Chief Justices of Manitoba, published in 2012. The article that follows the interview titled “A Lawyer with a Whistle: The Jurisprudence of Chief Justice Richard J. Scott” (pages 31 to 66) by Michael E. Rice, Melanie R. Bueckert and Ainslie Schroeder, provides an in-depth examination of a number of his most important decisions.
The Faculty of Law extends heartfelt condolences to Justice Scott’s family, friends, and colleagues. His passing is a great loss to the legal community, and he will be deeply missed.