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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 86 other justices. The legislation also provides for supernumerary judges who sit hearing cases part-time. Including supernumerary judges, there are presently 106 judges. 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
May 17, 2012
Practice Direction #35 - Sealing Orders in Civil & Family Proceedings - June 1, 2012
Chief Justice Bauman has issued PD-35 - Sealing Orders in Civil and Family Proceedings which sets out the procedure for applying for an order sealing all or part of the court file in a civil or family law case. PD-35 - Sealing Orders in Civil and Family Proceedings takes effect on June 1, 2012.
April 30, 2012
Supreme Court Master Appointment
The Supreme Court of British Columbia welcomes the appointment of Master Leslie J. Muir to Vancouver. Master Muir’s appointment is effective May 7, 2012. For more information about Master Muir please see the press release issued by the Attorney General.
April 24, 2012
Direction to the Registry re Grace Period for Acceptance of Repealed Forms
Chief Justice Bauman has issued a Direction to the Registry which implements a grace period during which the registry will accept Supreme Court Civil and Family Forms which were repealed by Order in Council 192. The grace period will expire on May 30, 2012.
April 24, 2012
Family Practice Direction #8 - Divorce Applications - April 25, 2012
Chief Justice Bauman has issued FPD-8 - Divorce Applications pursuant to which masters have jurisdiction to conduct trial management conferences. FPD-8 is issued to coincide with the coming into force of amendments to the Supreme Court Rules which amend certain forms. With the issuance of this practice direction, FPD-3 - Divorce Applications is rescinded. FPD-8 - Divorce Applications takes effect on April 25, 2012.