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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, R.S.B.C. 1996, c. 77. 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.
| NOTE: The Registry Counter in Vancouver is currently OPEN during regular business hours. Please see the Court's Public Notices for further instructions on scheduling and filing documents. |
COVID-19 NOTICES AND ANNOUNCEMENTS
- Overview of modified Court of Appeal procedures due to COVID-19
- How to file materials
- Instructions for Video Conferencing (Zoom)
- Access to proceedings (media and members of the public)
- Archived COVID-19 Notices and Announcements
ANNOUNCEMENTS
April 9, 2021
CRIMINAL E-FILING, ONLINE BOOKING OF APPEALS, UPDATED NOTICES AND COVID-19 LANDING PAGE
Criminal e-filing and online booking of appeals will take effect on April 12, 2021.
1. For e-filing, review the revised Notice Regarding Modified Filing Directions in Civil and Criminal Appeals and note the following changes:
- Effective Monday, April 12, 2021, criminal e-filing is optional for all. The same formatting and filing requirements apply to criminal e-filings as apply to civil e-filings.
- Counsel or litigants can now e-file materials for civil or criminal appeals that are sealed or where there are publication bans in place.
- Directions regarding condensed books have been clarified. The Court prefers to receive full authorities rather than excerpts of authorities in condensed books.
- Directions regarding bookmarking and page numbering have been clarified, including required bookmarking and bates numbering on documents of 25 pages or less.
2. For online booking of appeals, visit the Court of Appeal scheduling page and note the following changes:
- Effective Monday, April 12, 2021, appeal dates can be booked online for hearings of one day or less.
- Further directions are provided in section 5 of the revised Notice Regarding Modified Court of Appeal Procedures Due to COVID-19.
3. The Court of Appeal has made minor amendments to the Notice Regarding Video Conference Proceedings and the Notice Regarding Access to Court Proceedings During COVID-19.
4. The Court of Appeal has changed the layout of its COVID-19 ANNOUNCEMENTS AND NOTICES landing page to improve access to the relevant Notices and resources related to: (1) Modified Court of Appeal Procedures due to COVID-19; (2) How to File Materials; (3) Instructions for Video Conferencing (Zoom); and Access to Court Proceedings (Media and the Public).
March 31, 2021
B.C. COURT OF APPEAL ANNUAL REPORT 2020
The Annual Report of the B.C. Court of Appeal covering the activities of the Court for 2020 is now available.
March 24, 2021
JUDICIAL APPOINTMENT
The British Columbia Court of Appeal welcomes the appointment of the Honourable Mr. Justice Leonard Marchand, a judge of the Supreme Court of British Columbia, 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.