The Honourable John Agrios, a former justice of the Court of Queen's Bench of Alberta and an alumnus of the University of Alberta Faculty of Law, has died.
Justice Agrios, '56 LLB, died on September 12, a few weeks short of his 87th birthday.
During his 28 years on the bench, Justice Agrios was known as an innovator for his ability to simplify judicial procedures. He helped create mediation and mini-trial procedures for the Court, a beneficial tool that was implemented in Alberta in the early 1990s and later adopted by both national and international jurisdictions. Mini-trials are an alternate method of dispute resolution carried out in front of a judge with negotiation, mediation and arbitration, saving the time and costs required during a full trial.
Justice Agrios was admired as a patient and welcoming senior member of the bar who provided gentle guidance to new members of the judiciary and young lawyers, alike.
He was also one of the four founding members of the Alumni & Friends of the Faculty of Law at the University of Alberta, a constituent group of the university's alumni association. It fosters ties between UAlberta Law, its alumni and its current students through various projects and social events.
"Justice Agrios had the vision to create opportunities where law students and young legal professionals can meet and work with more experienced members of the community, regardless of where they are employed, and this clever idea has built bonds that would otherwise take decades to develop," said David Percy, interim dean of the Faculty of Law.
John Andrew Agrios was born on October 30, 1932, to Andrew and Krinio Agrios, into a family that would become well-known in Edmonton's legal community. His younger brother, Jack Agrios, OC, QC, graduated from UAlberta Law in 1960; his niece, Janice Agios, QC, is a partner in the Edmonton firm Kennedy Agrios LLP.
Justice Agrios practised with Edmonton law firm Emery Jamieson. During his distinguished career as a lawyer, he was named the Alberta representative of the Canadian Bar Association's special committee to review Canada's Constitution.
He was appointed to the Court of Queen's Bench of Alberta in 1980 and served until his retirement in 2008. In 2002, he was awarded a Queen Elizabeth II's Golden Jubilee Medal for his volunteer and philanthropic services, which included significant support for the arts, education and health care in Edmonton.
A lively debater who was passionate about the law and his hometown of Edmonton, Justice Agrios is being honoured by family and friends through the establishment of a scholarship fund for law students at the University of Alberta. Donations to the "Honourable Justice John Agrios Distinguished Student Achievement Fund" may be sent to the Faculty of Law, 474 Law Centre, Edmonton AB, T6G 2H5.
Justice Agrios is survived by his wife, Ruth; daughter Elaine (Brian Monaghan); son Andrew and daughter-in-law Jenafor; and four grandchildren, Aidan, Lily, Connor and Owen Monaghan, as well as his brother, Jack, his in-laws, nieces and nephews and their families.
A celebration of his life will be held Sunday, October 6 at 2:00 p.m. at the Royal Glenora Club, 11160 River Valley Road, Edmonton. To send condolences, visit www.fostermcgarvey.com.
In honour of Justice Agrios, the University of Alberta will lower its banner on top of the Administration Building on Friday, October 4. The flag will remain down until Monday, October 7.