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Supreme Court
The Supreme Court of British Columbia is the province's superior trial court. The Supreme Court is a court of general and inherent jurisdiction which means that it can hear any type of case, civil or criminal. It hears most appeals from the Provincial Court in civil and criminal cases and appeals from arbitrations. A party may appeal a decision of the Supreme Court to the Court of Appeal.
The Supreme Court Act, R.S.B.C. 1996, c. 443, provides for a Chief Justice of the Supreme Court, an Associate Chief Justice, and 90 other justices. The legislation also provides for supernumerary judges who sit hearing cases part-time. There are also 13 Supreme Court masters who hear and dispose of a wide variety of applications in chambers. The Supreme Court also has a Registrar and a District Registrar who hear assessments relating to bills of costs, reviews lawyers' accounts, settles orders, references of various types and deals with bankruptcy discharge applications.
Announcements
March 15, 2018
NOTICE: FAMILY LEGAL COUNSEL POSITION - 1 YEAR TERM COMMENCING MAY 2018
The Supreme Court is seeking a Family Legal Counsel for a term position of 1 year to cover the incumbent’s parental leave. Duties and further details may be found here.
March 2, 2018
NOTICE: CHANGE IN DATE OF FAMILY DAY STATUTORY HOLIDAY - IMPLICATIONS FOR TRIALS
Chief Justice Hinkson has issued a Notice as to the implications for trial start dates of the change in date of the statutory holiday for Family Day in 2019.
March 2, 2018
AMENDMENT TO THREE COURTS' POLICY ON USE OF ELECTRONIC DEVICES IN COURTROOMS
The Three Courts’ Policy on Use of Electronic Devices in Courtrooms has been amended to clarify the use that can be made of electronic devices during ceremonies and to provide direction to media on retention and destruction of audio recordings used to verify notes. The amended Policy may be found here.
February 22, 2018
JUDICIAL APPOINTMENTS
The Supreme Court of British Columbia welcomes the appointment of Madam Justice Barbara J. Norell to New Westminster and the appointments of Madam Justice Wendy A. Baker and the Honourable Madam Justice Sharon Matthews to Vancouver. For more information about the Supreme Court’s newest justices, please see the press release issued by the Department of Justice. Public welcoming ceremonies for our new justices will be held on a date to be scheduled. Information about the welcoming ceremonies will be posted on the court’s website once it is available.
February 7, 2018
JUDICIAL APPOINTMENT
The Supreme Court of British Columbia welcomes the appointment of the Honourable Madam Justice Diane Cheryl MacDonald to Vancouver. For more information about Madam Justice MacDonald, please see the news release issued by the Department of Justice Canada. A public welcoming ceremony for Madam Justice MacDonald will be held on a date to be scheduled, and information about the welcoming ceremony will be posted on the Court’s website once it is available.
February 1, 2018
WELCOMING CEREMONY - MADAM JUSTICE MARZARI - FEBRUARY 28, 2018
A Welcoming Ceremony for the Honourable Madam Justice Marzari will be held on Wednesday, February 28, 2018 at the Vancouver Law Courts in Courtroom 55 at 4:15 p.m. Members of the public are invited to attend the Welcoming Ceremony.