We are saddened to inform the Profession that The Honourable Mr. Justice David J. Brine passed away on November 6, 2009. Mr. Justice Brine was a gifted writer known for his fairness, thoughtfulness and patience. He possessed an unwavering commitment to his family, his colleagues and to the litigants who appeared before him. The Canadian Bar Association BC Branch (CBABC) extends its deepest condolences to Mr. Justice Brine's family, friends and colleagues.

Mr. Justice Brine received a Bachelor of Laws from the University of British Columbia in 1973, and a Masters in Law from King's College at the University of London in 1974. He was admitted to the British Columbia Bar in 1975, and was appointed Queen's Counsel in 2000. He has been President of the New Westminster Bar Association and also has been an instructor at the Professional Legal Training Program. He served as Governor of the Law Foundation of British Columbia from 1992 to 2000. He was Deputy Chair of the Foundation in 1998 and 1999 and Chair of the Law Foundation’s Finance and Administration Committee for three years. In addition, he was a member of the CBABC Executive and Provincial Council.

Mr. Justice Brine was appointed as Master of the Supreme Court of British Columbia on April 20, 2001 and as Judge to the Supreme Court of British Columbia on November 26, 2004. He held court in New Westminster County. Prior to his appointment, he was a partner in the firm of McQuarrie Hunter, where he practised primarily in the area of civil litigation.

A Special Sitting of the Court was held on November 19, 2009 at 9:15 am in Court Room 207 at the New Westminster Law Courts.

Read the Supreme Court of British Columbia notice.

A Celebration of Life
A Celebration of Life in honour of the late Mr. Justice Brine will be held on Friday, December 4, 2009 from 4:30 pm to 7:00 pm at the Law Courts Inn, Vancouver Law Courts.

[Posted November 10, 2009; Updated November 24, 2009]