Mike Cozens' appointment as a territorial court judge has been met with support from prominent legal community members.

"I think it's a very good appointment," Andre Roothman, a local lawyer, said in an interview Thursday.

"Cozens has experience in civil litigation as well as the criminal side. He was in private practice for many years and has experience in family law as well, which is a significant component (of legal practice).

"It's ideal to ask someone who is an all-around practitioner."

Roothman added that Cozens, a 52-year-old father of three, has experience in both prosecution services and defense.

"I think this appointment will be welcomed by the community," Roothman said of Cozens, who was an electrician earlier in his life.

Cozens will be sworn in to replace former territorial judge Heino Lilles, who moved here from Kingston, Ont. in the 1980s to take the position, and who retired last year.

In a news release issued Thursday afternoon, Justice Minister Marian Horne said, "our government is pleased to appoint this highly-qualified person to the territorial court.

"Judge Cozens brings a strong work ethic and has a well-rounded background and range of experience that will serve the territorial court well," she added.

Cozens is a 1992 graduate of Dalhousie Law School in Halifax.

Since 2003, he has been a Crown prosecutor with the Federal Prosecution Service in Whitehorse. Prior to his work there, he practised law with a private Whitehorse firm.

Judges are appointed through a selection process set out in the Territorial Court Act. The Judicial Council seeks potential candidates and submits this list to the Minister of Justice.

The Judicial Council is made up of representatives from the Yukon Supreme Court, the territorial court, first Nations, lawyers and lay people.