Donald C. Murray, K. C.

For nearly 20 years, Don Murray has acted as a neutral decision-maker for the conduct of human rights inquiries and labour arbitrations. For several years he has also been asked to conduct professional discipline hearings for his peers in the Nova Scotia Barristers’ Society. Between 2011 and 2019, he also provided similar decision-making services as an adjudicator under the Indian Residential Schools Settlement Agreement. More recently he has been asked to assist those who have become involved in sport dispute resolution.

As a human rights adjudicator particularly, Mr Murray has written decisions that have contributed significantly to the human rights conversation in Canada. His work has created a national impact on issues such as mandatory retirement, and discrimination on the basis of colour.

Some of his available decisions are here.

Mr Murray’s previous experience as an advocate in the criminal justice system has given him a facility to manage antagonistic, highly adversarial proceedings with fairness and courtesy. He also has the capacity to supervise alternative dispute resolution processes where relationships would benefit, or where adversarial proceedings would be too costly or damaging to the parties. Mr Murray’s residential school work has allowed Mr Murray to augment his understanding and facility with both inquisitorial-style proceedings, civil damage assessment, and application of trauma-informed approaches to meaningful adjudication..

Mr Murray is available as a neutral for appointment by agreement of parties with a business to business, human rights, and sport dispute. The terms of reference for his appointment may be negotiated without charge.