Vickers, David Herbert

He completed an arts degree at Sir George Williams College (now Concordia University). graduated with a law degree in 1959, winning a $25 prize for proficiency in a course on mortgages.

He was called to the bar the next year.

He articled with Ladner Downs, a prominent firm, later becoming a partner.

He opened his own law practice in Victoria in 1979.

In 1973, Mr. Vickers was named Deputy Attorney-General in NDP premier Dave Barrett's government.

He served for four years.

In 1984, he contested the NDP leadership when Mr. Barrett stepped down after his third successive defeat at the polls. A defeat at the polls in 1986, two years after an unsuccessful bid to become provincial NDP leader, led Mr. Vickers to return to the practice of law, where he was known as an effective advocate for the rights of the mentally disabled.

In 1991 he was appointed as a BC Supreme Court Judge.

He was appointed as a Naval Cadet (UNTD) RCN(R) 1952.

In 1952 he served in HMCS Donnacona for UNTD.

He was appointed as a Sub-Lieutenant RCN(R).

He was appointed as a Lieutenant RCN(R) (With seniority dated 01/05/1957). (He was released.)

He issued a landmark, 473-page decision, in which he ruled that the Tsilhqot'in native band had established aboriginal title to a large portion of their traditional territory. The ruling was hailed as a victory by lawyers for the band, although the judge's ruling was non-binding. After a trial lasting 339 days, he urged all parties to negotiate in the land-claim case.

In 1990, he was stabbed as he helped protect a female client from a knife-wielding man in a Vancouver courtroom. Mr. Vickers needed 28 stitches to close his wound.