Public Trustee

Job Information

The Public Trustee oversees and is responsible and accountable for the management, direction and administration of the Public Trustee Program in the Northwest Territories. The position is located in Yellowknife and reports to the Assistant Deputy Minister (Attorney General Branch) for administrative purposes. The scope of this position is diverse and significant, owing to the wide range of clients and legal and financial duties, as well as program areas. 

As a statutory officer, the Public Trustee is a fiduciary authority appointed under the Public Trustee Act by the Government of the Northwest Territories to protect and manage the legal and financial interests of vulnerable residents of the Northwest Territories and administer estates of deceased persons when there is no one else to do so or where it meets the criteria for the Office of the Pubic Trustee to administer. The powers and duties of the Public Trustee are set out under the Public Trustee Act, the Guardianship and Trusteeship Act the Powers of Attorney Act, the Rules of Court, the Estate Administration Rules, and other legislation, as well as judge­ made law.

Typically, the above qualifications would be attained by a common law degree – J.D. or LL.B. or equivalent; Membership in or eligibility for membership as an active member of the Law Society of the Northwest Territories; At least seven (7) years of active law practice with progressive responsibility, in a common law jurisdiction with experience in wills, trusts, estates, litigation, family and property law and related areas.