Saskatchewan appoints first associate judges to Court of King’s Bench

Law360 Canada (October 5, 2026, 1:38 PM EDT) -- Saskatchewan has appointed its first associate judges to the Court of King’s Bench following legislation that came into force Oct. 1.

The King’s Bench Amendment Act, 2026 created the new judicial role to increase the court’s capacity to handle civil and family matters.

Five associate judges were appointed effective Oct. 1: Louis Browne, Darcia Connelly and Rani Grewall in Regina; Cynthia Yelland in Saskatoon; and Regina-based Registrar in Bankruptcy Alexander Shalashniy, who was also appointed to provide greater judicial independence and authority in that role.

According to the court, the appointees have all been members in good standing of a Canadian bar for at least 10 years.

“We are very pleased to welcome Saskatchewan’s first associate judges,” Chief Justice Martel D. Popescul said in a statement. “This is an important step in the ongoing modernization of our courts and will help support access to justice and the timely resolution of matters in a busy and increasingly complex court system.”

The new positions bring the province into alignment with how similar courts are structured in other Canadian provinces.

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