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.
Court of Appeal Act and Rules (Quick Links)
Effective 18 July 2022
- Court of Appeal Act, S.B.C. 2021, c. 6
- Court of Appeal Rules, BC Reg. 120/2022 | Amendments to Rules OIC 631/2023 (27 Nov 2023)
- How to file materials | Registrar's Filing Directive
- Forms, Completion Instructions, and Templates
- Practice Directives
- Remote Appearances - Practice Directive
- Request to Appear Remotely
- Chambers Applications - Practice Directive
- Process Overview Charts (Appellant | Respondent)
ANNOUNCEMENTS
October 28, 2024
JUDICIAL APPOINTMENT
The British Columbia Court of Appeal welcomes the appointment of the Honourable Justice Edelmann to the Court of Appeal for British Columbia and the Court of Appeal of Yukon. The appointment is effective immediately. For further information, please see the announcement from the Department of Justice.
October 15, 2024
APPOINTMENT OF THE CHIEF JUSTICE OF THE SUPREME COURT
The British Columbia Court of Appeal welcomes the appointment of the Honourable Justice Ronald A. Skolrood, a Justice of the Court of Appeal for British Columbia, as the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court. The appointment is effective immediately. For further information, please see the announcement from the Prime Minister.
Our Court wishes Chief Justice Skolrood all the best in his new role and we congratulate him on this incredible achievement.
October 3, 2024
JUDICIAL CLERKSHIP PROGRAM INFORMATION SESSIONS
This fall the Court of Appeal and Supreme Court are hosting in-person and virtual information sessions about the judicial clerkship program. These sessions aim to foster learning and connection between judges, law clerks, and students interested in learning more about the judicial clerkship experience.
The following sessions will take place in-person at BC Law Schools:
- UVic Faculty of Law – October 8 from 12:30 pm to 1:30 pm.
- Allard Hall – October 15 from 12:30 pm to 1:30 pm.
- TRU Faculty of Law – November 12 from 1:00 pm to 1:45 pm.
Check with your Career Services Office for more details.
There will also be two sessions that will take place online:
- Indigenous law student communities - October 31 from 12:40 pm to 1:20 pm PST. Click here to register.
- LGBTQIA2S+ law student communities - November 4 from 12:45 pm to 1:45 pm PST. Click here to register.
Please email judiciallawclerkprogram@bccourts.ca if you have any further questions about this registration.