HALIFAX -- The Nova Scotia Judiciary has announced that the province's chief justice will retire next year.

Michael MacDonald, who is also the chief justice of the Nova Scotia Court of Appeal, will retire from the bench on Feb. 1.

Born and raised in Whitney Pier, N.S., MacDonald was called to the bar in 1979 and became a judge in the Nova Scotia Supreme Court 16 years later.

He became chief justice of Nova Scotia in 2004 and currently chairs the Judicial Conduct Committee.

MacDonald's retirement announcement triggers a selection process to appoint Nova Scotia's next chief justice.

The appointment is made by the federal cabinet based on recommendations from the prime minister.