Judge sex complaint review holds 1st hearing

A complaint alleging sexual harassment and discrimination on the part of a Manitoba judge is being heard by the Canadian Judicial Council in a Winnipeg courtroom.

The council's intial hearing into the conduct of Associate Chief Justice Lori Douglas of the Manitoba Court of Queen's Bench began on Saturday morning.

The hearing will focus on procedural matters, including who can take part in the public inquiry, which will determine whether she is fit to continue as a Superior Court Judge.

CBC's Marisa Dragani said from the courthouse that a citizen blogger, Clare Pieuk, is asking for intervenor status. Saturday's hearing is open to the public and security is tight, Dragani said.

A Winnipeg police officer was present for the hearing. A Canadian Judicial Council spokesperson said it was prudent to have an officer there, partly based on protocol and also because of some of the blog posts they have seen.

Alexander Chapman of Winnipeg filed the complaint in July 2010, alleging that Douglas's husband, Jack King, tried to pressure him into having sex with Douglas in 2002 and 2003.

Chapman said when he retained King to handle his divorce in 2002, the lawyer showed him sexually explicit photos of Douglas, naked in various forms of bondage, in chains, with sex toys and performing oral sex.

Both King and Douglas were lawyers and partners with a Winnipeg law firm at the time.

Douglas stepped away from her duties as a sitting judge shortly after Chapman's complaint was filed.

The Canadian Judicial Council hears complaints involving a judge's conduct and can decide whether or not the judge in question should continue to serve on the bench.

There are five judges and two lawyers on the panel. The judges are from across the country: P.E.I, Newfoundland and Labrador and Alberta.

Alberta Chief Justice Catherine Fraser is chair.

Chapman was not in attendance at the start of the hearing but arrived later.