Court of Appeal

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Court of Appeal

The Court of Appeal is the highest court in the province. It hears appeals from the Supreme Court, from the Provincial Court on some criminal matters, and reviews and appeals from some administrative boards and tribunals.

The Court of Appeal is constituted by the Court of Appeal Act, S.B.C. 2021, c. 6. The Court of Appeal Act provides for a Chief Justice and 14 other justices, as well as for supernumerary justices. Thus, the Court of Appeal actually has more than 15 judges. The Chief Justice of British Columbia heads the Court of Appeal.

The Court of Appeal has a registrar who, in addition to other administrative duties, hears matters related to the settling of orders and bills of costs.

Quick Reference Guide

Frequently Asked Questions	Resources
How do I bring or respond to an appeal?	Overview for appellants Overview for respondents Online Help Guide (JES Website) Court of Appeal Act, S.B.C. 2021, c. 6 Amendments, Order-in-Council 90/2025 (3 March 2025) Court of Appeal Rules, BC Reg. 120/2022 Criminal Appeal Rules
What materials do I file?	Registrar's Filing Directive Forms - Civil \| Criminal Completion Instructions Templates Order a court transcript
How do I file materials?	How to file materials Court Services Online (for e-filing)
How do I apply for no fees payable status?	Rule 85 \| Form 22 - PDF\| Word Financial criteria
What else should I know about hearings and other processes?	Practice Directives - Civil \| Criminal Remote Appearances - Practice Directive Request to Appear Remotely (Form) Chambers Applications - Practice Directive Live Broadcast of Appeals – Watch here
Where can I access court records?	Record and Courtroom Access Policy and Access Request Forms

ANNOUNCEMENTS

May 12, 2025
IN MEMORIAM: THE HONOURABLE JOHN J.L. HUNTER

It is with sadness that we acknowledge the passing of the Honourable John J.L. Hunter, former member of the Court of Appeal for British Columbia and the Court of Appeal of Yukon. John was appointed directly from private practice on April 20, 2017 and served as a member of these Courts until his retirement on February 11, 2024. He was a titan in every aspect of his life – student, athlete, lawyer, teacher, mentor, leader, judge, friend and, of course, family man. The Court missed his presence greatly over the past year, and it is with heavy hearts that we now say goodbye.

Over the course of his truly remarkable career, John was a former president of the British Columbia Law Society and a founding member of Hunter Litigation Chambers. There are innumerable members of the legal profession and the broader public (in British Columbia, Canada and beyond) who knew John, learned from him or received his assistance in one form or another. We extend our deepest condolences to all those affected by this loss.

April 24, 2025
UPDATES TO CRIMINAL RULES FORMS PAGE

The Criminal Rules Forms web page has been updated to provide guidance to court users on using Forms, Completion Instructions, and Templates on criminal appeals

The new and improved resources include:

Criminal Appeal Book Instructions for Paper and E-filing,
Cover Page Word Templates for Criminal Appeal Hearing Books and Lower Court Transcripts, and
Information about ordering Lower Court Transcripts for criminal appeals

(Announcements Archive)

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