The formal swearing-in ceremony for new Provincial Court Judge Lloyd Strickland took place Friday morning in St. John’s.

Courtroom No. 7, usually reserved for first appearances, was filled with friends, family and colleagues, including top cops, and judges of the Provincial, Supreme and Appeal courts.

Strickland was lauded for his kind and humble nature, while excelling in his now-previous life as a dogged prosecutor, from the circuit in coastal Labrador to Tanzania in east Africa. There, he worked with the UN War Crimes Tribunal for the genocide in Rwanda, prosecuting former government and military leaders for their horrific crimes against humanity.

Back home, the Port aux Basques native had most recently served as the province’s director of public prosecutions, overseeing the highest profile trials including that of RNC Const. Douglas Snelgrove, who is appealing his conviction.

Well-wishes and quips yesterday ranged from razzings of Strickland’s Toronto Maple Leafs to a Seinfeld reference.

While formally installed on Friday, Strickland has been hearing cases out of Happy Valley–Goose Bay since January when the appointment became effective.

Andrew Wadden was appointed to the bench at the same time as Strickland, assigned to the court in Grand Falls-Windsor.

Wadden, who has spent most of his career in private practice and community enhancement roles, has served at all levels of the courts, including before tribunals, as well as and acting as counsel to the Consumer Advocate.