Judicial council reviewing complaint against Supreme Court of Canada's Russell Brown

The Canadian Judicial Council says it is reviewing a complaint about the alleged conduct of Supreme Court of Canada Justice Russell Brown.

The Canadian Judicial Council is reviewing a complaint about the alleged conduct of Supreme Court of Canada Justice Russell Brown.

In a statement Tuesday, the council said the complaint against Brown, received Jan. 29, was referred to Christopher Hinkson, chief justice of the Supreme Court of British Columbia and chairperson of the council's judicial conduct committee.

Under the Judges Act, the judicial council has a mandate to investigate complaints made against federally appointed judges.

The council did not disclose the nature of the complaint concerning Brown.

The Supreme Court recently said the judge had been on a leave of absence since early February, but it did not disclose the reason.

On Tuesday, the court said it was now at liberty to say more, noting the council told Richard Wagner, the chief justice of Canada, of the complaint on Jan. 31.

The following day, after speaking with Brown, Wagner put him on leave from his duties at the Supreme Court effective immediately, while the council looks into the complaint.