First appointed to the Ontario Court of Justice in 2004, and the Ontario Superior Court of Justice in 2013, the Honourable Mr. Justice Kofi N. Barnes is known as a pioneer and innovator in jurisprudence and champion of social justice. Barnes came to Canada from Ghana and attended Trent University before enrolling at the Osgoode Hall Law School at York University.

Admitted to the Ontario Bar in 1993, Barnes is a renowned expert in the area of therapeutic jurisprudence. He is founder of the Metro West Community Restoration Court, Durham Mental Health and Drug Treatment Court and Canada's first Drug Treatment Court. As founding president of the not-for-profit organization Canadian Association of Drug Treatment Court Professionals and president of the International Association of Drug Treatment Courts, Barnes has provided international training sessions under the sponsorship of the UN and the Organization of American States.

Barnes is the recipient of many prestigious awards including the Queen Elizabeth Silver Jubilee Commemorative medal, Trent University Distinguished Alumni Award and the African-Canadian Achievement Awards for Excellence in Law.