SOMBA K'E/YELLOWKNIFE - Justice Don Cooper has resigned from the NWT Supreme Court and it's due to health reasons, according to his colleague.

On Jan. 14, senior Justice John Vertes informed a Yellowknife courtroom of lawyers and members of the media that Cooper resigned due to health issues, and that he was taking over Cooper's caseload.

On Monday, Vertes told Yellowknifer Cooper's resignation was a great loss to the Supreme Court.

"It is with regret that he is resigning and retiring, and I regret it too because he was a valuable member of this court," he said.

Crown prosecutor Glen Boyd described Cooper as a very fair judge with excellent insight and practical application of the law. Boyd also praised Cooper for his good sense of humour and wit, which made appearing before the judge an "enjoyable experience."

"He (had) the ability, when you're dealing with difficult cases or difficult situations to put people at ease and cut to the heart of the issue," he said.

Cooper was appointed to the Supreme Court of the NWT on June 19, 2008, by M.P. Rob Nicholson, minister of Justice and attorney general of Canada at the time.

Cooper was admitted to Bar of the NWT in 1975, and after several years of private practise.

He also worked for the GNWT Department of Justice as deputy minister of Justice from 1996 until his appointment as judge.

There has been no announcement on Cooper's permanent replacement.

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