Alberta Court of Queen's Bench Justice Allan Wachowich is resigning from his post.

Wachowich announced Thursday he will retire from his position on Oct. 1st. He will stay on as a supernumerary judge until March 8, 2010, the date of his 75th birthday, by which under law justices must resign.

Through an official in his office, Wachowich said he is announcing his resignation now to give his eventual successor time for a smooth transition.

Wachowich has served as chief justice since 2000, after being named associate chief justice in 1993.

Wachowich called his 600th law student to the bar last year, a record number.

The 74-year-old was born in Opal, Alberta, one of eight children of Philip and Nancy Wachowich, and was admitted to the bar on May 29, 1959.