The Honourable Richard MacKinnon, a Judge of the Provincial and Family Courts of Nova Scotia, has retired. His last official day was Feb. 26, 2021.

"Judge MacKinnon is a wonderful colleague and a joy to work with," said The Hon. Pamela Williams, Chief Judge of the Provincial and Family Courts. "He always went out of his way to be kind, compassionate and respectful toward everyone he encountered, including those who appeared before him in court. He is greatly admired by his staff and will be especially missed by those working at the Antigonish courthouse. On behalf of his friends on the Provincial and Family Courts, we're sorry to see him go and wish him all the best."

Judge MacKinnon graduated with a Bachelor of Arts from St. Francis Xavier University in 1973 and his LLB from Dalhousie University in 1976. Prior to becoming a Judge, he was working as a senior Crown counsel with the Nova Scotia Public Prosecution Service in Port Hawkesbury and had been a practicing member of the Nova Scotia Bar for 32 years.

Judge MacKinnon was appointed to the Provincial and Family Courts in November 2009. He has presided in Provincial Court in Bridgewater, Truro, and most recently in Antigonish.

During his time on the Bench, Judge MacKinnon served terms as Treasurer and President of the Nova Scotia Provincial Court Judges’ Association. He has also served as a delegate to the Canadian Association for Provincial Court Judges.

In his spare time, Judge MacKinnon enjoys working in the garden or watching NCAA and U Sports university basketball. On behalf of his many friends and colleagues in the legal community, we thank Judge MacKinnon for his years of service and wish him many happy moments in his retirement.