Biography of Commissioner

William H. Davies, Q.C. was born and attended school in Chilliwack, B.C.

He graduated from the University of British Columbia Faculty of Law in 1955, and articled with Frank Wilson (later Judge Wilson) of Wilson and Hinds. He was called to the bar of British Columbia in May 1956. In 1957 he became a partner in the law firm of Wilson, Hinds and Davies (eventually to become Baker Newby LLP). He maintained a general practice for several years, later focusing on litigation and municipal law.

Mr. Davies was active in community affairs as well as the legal community. Some of the offices he held include:

In 1977 he was awarded the Silver Jubilee Medal for his contribution to the community and to Canada.

Mr. Davies was appointed as a Judge of the County Court of the County of Westminster in 1977, and was elevated to the British Columbia Supreme Court in 1982. Between 1979 and 1984, he served as a director of the Canadian Judges Conference. Between 1985 and 1986, he served as President of the Federal Judges Association.

In 1990, while still a member of the B.C. Supreme Court, he was also appointed a Judge of the Supreme Court of the Northwest Territories, and sat on criminal trials in numerous locations throughout the Territories. He retired from both Courts in 1999.

Mr. Davies was reinstated to the Bar of British Columbia in November 2003, and joined the law firm of Baker Newby LLP as Associate Counsel. He was appointed Queen’s Counsel in December 2005.