About the Honourable
Barbara Lea Veldhuis

Now retired from the court, Barb was one of the few judges who has been privileged to have practiced law throughout Alberta as defence counsel, provincial crown, federal crown, and to have served as a judge on all 3 levels of court. 

Barb was first appointed to the Calgary criminal division of the Provincial Court in 2007, then to Court of Queen’s Bench (now King’s Bench) in 2011.  She was the only Court of Appeal judge who has been resident in Edmonton (2013 – 2017) and Calgary (2018 – 2023) enhancing her knowledge and perspective on the legal landscape throughout the province of Alberta.

In addition, Barb has an Executive Certificate in Conflict Management, awarded by the Faculty of Law, University of Windsor and the Stitt Feld Handy Group in 2015.

During almost 20 years of criminal practice, as counsel, Barb conducted thousands of negotiations to resolve criminal matters.  During the past 16 years she has successfully conducted many judicial dispute resolutions in her role as a judge. 

Since February 2013, when she was appointed to the Court of Appeal, Barb was assigned over 800 cases and authored approximately 290 published decisions. 

With Barb’s solid experience and expertise, she will assist parties to craft resolutions to settle disputes and preserve relationships in an fair and efficient manner that will avoid lengthy and expensive litigation in the courts.