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.

COVID-19 NOTICES AND ANNOUNCEMENTS


ANNOUNCEMENTS


June 30, 2021
UPDATED NOTICES AND CHANGES TO MODIFIED PROCEDURES

In response to changing pandemic conditions and public feedback, the Court of Appeal has made the following changes in its COVID-19 Notices:

1. Hearings will take place in courtrooms

  • Beginning July 12, 2021, appeal hearings and chambers proceedings will take place in person in the courtroom, unless parties apply or elect to appear remotely.

2. Parties may apply for permission or elect to appear remotely

  • For appeals, a party may seek the Court’s permission to appear by video conference by filing a Request to Appear Remotely at least ten (10) business days before the appeal hearing. There are no teleconference appearances for appeals.
  • For chambers proceedings, a party may elect to appear remotely by video or teleconference by checking a box on the Request to Appear Remotely and filing the completed form together with their notice of motion, or, if they are responding to the application, at least two (2) business days before the hearing.

3. Lawyers should gown

  • Lawyers should gown for appeal hearings whether they are appearing in person or by video. This change will ensure consistency in presentation when some parties appear in the courtroom and others appear by video.

4. Attend the courtroom in person to observe hearings

  • As all hearings return to the courtroom, including where one or more parties appear by video conference, the Court’s weekly hearing list will no longer include Zoom video links. Observers should check the weekly hearing list and attend the courtroom in person. Physical distancing and facemask requirements in courtrooms remain in effect.
  • The Court understands that providing video links to Zoom proceedings during the pandemic made appeal hearings easier to access and will be considering accessibility to court proceedings on an ongoing basis. Media continue to have the option of requesting remote access to digital audio recordings of court proceedings.

5. Filing directions for condensed books and authorities clarified

6. COVID-19 Overview of the Appeal Process Flowchart updated

  • Footnotes added to the appeal process flowchart have been updated to reflect the new procedural steps detailed in the Court’s COVID-19 Notices.

 

 

(Announcements Archive)

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