Prepared 2013

TABLE OF CONTENTS
Biographical Sketch
Immediate Source of Acquisition
Scope and Content
Series Descriptions
PF43-1
PF43-2
PF43-3
PF43-4
Speeches and papers
Published materials
Photographs
Letter and seminar material

Wilson David Griffiths fonds PF43
Biographical Sketch
Wilson David Griffiths was born on 28 May 1925, in Owen Sound, Ontario, to Leonard
Whitney Griffiths and Jean Davidson. During the Second World War, Griffiths served with the Royal Canadian Air Force (1943-1944) as a Leading Aircraftman and with the Army
(1944-1945) as a corporal. After earning an LLB degree from the University of Toronto,
Griffiths was admitted to Osgoode Hall Law School in 1948, and was called to the Bar in
1951. Griffiths was appointed a Queen's Counsel in 1961. In 1972, Griffiths was elected a bencher of the Law Society of Upper Canada and served in this capacity until his appointment to the bench in 1975. Griffiths served in various Ontario courts, including the
High Court of Justice (1975-1987), the Supreme Court of Ontario Court of Appeal
(1987-1990), and the Court of Appeal for Ontario (1990-1992). In 1992, he was appointed a
Supernumerary Justice of the Court of Appeal for Ontario. Griffiths died on 21 June 2004.
Immediate Source of Acquisition
The records in this fonds were donated to the Law Society of Upper Canada Archives by
Jean Griffiths in September of 2004.
Scope and Content
1966-1996
21.5 cm of textual records
6 photographs : b&w and col. ; 20.2 cm x 42.6 cm or smaller
Fonds consists of records relating to the judicial career of Wilson David Griffiths. The fonds includes speeches, papers, published material, photographs, a letter and other material.

Wilson David Griffiths fonds
Speeches and papers
[1975?]-[1995?]
10 cm of textual records
PF43
PF43-1
Series consists of speeches and writings given by Wilson David Griffiths and other individuals.
Records in the series are arranged in chronological order.
Reference code Title
2004050-001
2004050-002
2004050-003
2004050-004
2004050-005
2004050-006
2004050-007
2004050-008
2004050-009
2004050-010
2004050-011
2004050-012
2004050-013
2004050-014
2004050-015
2004050-016
2004050-017
Speech for doctors in October
A view from the bench: characteristics of the successful negotiator
Call to the Bar ceremony
Negligence and fraud - symptoms of malaise
Toronto call to Bar 1984
Dates
1980
[ca. 1981]
11 Apr. 1983
1984
1984
Address
Remarks at call to Bar - London
The retirement of John Bowlby from the bench
Address at call to the Bar ceremony
Mar. 1984
12 Apr. 1984
1988
29 Mar. 1989
11 Apr. 1989 Speech for the Honourable Chief Justice of the
High Court W.D. Parker
Remarks at the call to the bar - Ottawa
Presentation of the Advocates' Society Medal to
Charles F. McKeon, Q.C.
Advocates' Society dinner: thirtieth anniversary
28 Mar. 1990
19 June 1990
What a trial judge looks for in counsel
The role of the trial advocate in the trial process
4 Mar. 1994
[after 1975]
[after 1977]
Some observations of a two-and-a-half year-old judge [after 1977]
Contempt of court by lawyers [after 1983]
2004050-018
2004050-019
2004050-020
2004050-021
2004050-022
The Medico-Legal Society of Toronto
Address
Address for advocacy course
Fresh stories
History of the Advocates' Society
[after 1988]
[between 1975 and 1995]
[between 1975 and 1995]
[between 1975 and 1995]
[between 1975 and 1995]

Wilson David Griffiths fonds
Published material
1980, 1995-1996
8.5 cm of textual records
PF43
PF43-2
Series consists of four published volumes, one newsletter and one clipping relating to the judicial career of Wilson David Griffiths.
Records in the series are arranged in chronological order.
Reference code Title
2004050-023
2004050-024
2004050-025
2004050-026
2004050-027
2004050-028
Quality of trial lawyers hit by judge
The reported decisions of Mr. Justice W. David
Griffiths: Volume I
The reported decisions of Mr. Justice W. David
Griffiths: Volume II
The reported decisions of Mr. Justice W. David
Griffiths: Volume III
Civil jury charges
CIAJ newsletter
Dates
15 Nov. 1980
24 Nov. 1995
24 Nov. 1995
24 Nov. 1995
Jan. 1995
1996

Wilson David Griffiths fonds
Photographs
1966, 1993-1996
6 photographs : b&w and col. ; 20.2 cm x 42.6 cm or smaller
PF43
PF43-3
Series consists of photographs relating to the legal career of Wilson David Griffiths.
Records in the series are arranged in chronological order.
Reference code Title
2004050-01P Osgoode Hall class of '51, 15 year reunion
2004050-02P
2004050-03P
2004050-04P
2004050-05P
2004050-06P
- Toronto 1966
Photograph of unidentified group
Photograph of unidentified group
Photograph of unidentified group
Grange retirement dinner
Château Bromont 1996
Dates
1966
1993
1994
1995
7 Apr. 1995
1996

Wilson David Griffiths fonds
Letter and seminar material
1984, 1989
3 cm of textual records
PF43
PF43-4
Series consists of a letter sent to W. D. Griffiths and material prepared for a seminar in courtroom procedure.
Records in the series are arranged in chronological order.
Reference code
2004050-029
2004050-030
Title Dates
Letter from Laura Legge to Justice Griffiths 2 Apr. 1984
Suggested programme for seminar at Yellowknife June 1989