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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 NOTICE AND ANNOUNCEMENTS
GENERAL ANNOUNCEMENTS
December 21, 2020
UPDATE: DEADLINE FOR FILING NEW APPEALS
On 21 December 2020, the government issued Order in Council 655/2020, which repeals the suspension of timelines for filing a new appeal on March 25, 2021.
The Court has updated its Notice to the Public Regarding the Court of Appeal for British Columbia’s Response to COVID-19 to reflect this change.
It has also made changes to its Notice to the Public Regarding Access to Court Proceedings during the COVID-19 Pandemic to reflect that all appeals are currently taking place by videoconference only until further notice (as previously announced).
December 11, 2020
R. V. MOAZAMI - APPEAL HEARING ACCESS
EVIDENTIARY HEARINGS - DECEMBER 14 TO 16, 2020; FINAL ARGUMENTS - JANUARY 25 TO 29, 2021
From December 14 to 16, 2020, the Court of Appeal will hear evidence relating to Mr. Moazami’s appeals from conviction (CA43308 and CA43857).
The evidentiary hearings are scheduled to take place in courtroom 60 at the Vancouver Law Courts, beginning each day at 10:00 am. Due to Covid-19 restrictions, space in courtroom 60 will be limited to hearing participants (e.g. counsel, court clerk, judges, and sheriffs).
To provide access to the evidentiary hearings the court has arranged for closed circuit television links to an overflow space in the Robson Square Provincial Court building at 800 Hornby Street (boardroom 205). If you arrive before 8:30 am you should line up outside of the Smithe street entrance to the Robson Square Provincial Court building. The building will open at 8:30 am. If the building is open you can proceed directly to boardroom 205 and line up while maintaining distance. The hearing will commence at 10:00 am. As you enter the courthouse Sheriffs will conduct a verbal COVID-19 screening process asking questions related to health and travel. People attending courthouses in British Columbia are required to wear a face mask or face covering, including in entrances, lobbies, waiting areas, registries, hallways, stairways, restrooms and elevators. In addition, people are required to wear a face mask or face covering in courtrooms, including overflow spaces, unless the presiding judge, justice, master or registrar directs otherwise. Please review the general expectations for those attending a courthouse during the pandemic.
Final arguments are scheduled to take place from January 25 to 29, 2021. Details regarding access will be provided closer to the date.
The Court's Policy on Use of Electronic Devices in Courtrooms applies to overflow spaces and generally prohibits taking photographs (including screen shots), video images, or audio recordings of any court proceeding. Refer to the policy for details on permitted audio recording for accredited media. Penalties may include prosecution for contempt of court.
Any questions may be directed to the Superior Courts Judiciary Communications Officer at SCJCommunicationsOfficer@BCCourts.ca.
November 25, 2020
UPDATE: FACE MASKS OR FACE COVERINGS IN BRITISH COLUMBIA COURTHOUSES
Effective immediately, people attending courthouses in British Columbia are required to wear a face mask or face covering, including in entrances, lobbies, waiting areas, registries, hallways, stairways, restrooms and elevators. In addition, people are required to wear a face mask or face covering in courtrooms unless the presiding judge, justice, master or registrar directs otherwise.
Face masks or face coverings must be worn in a manner that cover a person’s nose and mouth. If you do not have a face mask or face covering, Sheriffs will provide one when you enter the courthouse. While wearing a face mask or face covering can reduce the spread of infection, it does not substitute for physical distancing, which must be maintained whenever possible. The requirement to wear a face mask or face covering does not apply:
- to a child who is less than twelve years of age,
- to a person who is unable to wear a face mask or face covering because of (i) a psychological, behavioural or health condition, or (ii) a physical, cognitive or mental impairment,
- to a person who is unable to put on or remove a face mask or face covering without the assistance of another person,
- if the face mask or face covering is removed temporarily for the purpose of identifying the person wearing it.
In addition, all people attending courthouses in British Columbia are asked to be familiar with all health and safety protocols and to cooperate in following them in order to protect everyone in courthouses in this province.
Click on the links below for more information regarding procedures when attending proceedings in each court:
Court of Appeal for British Columbia
Supreme Court of British Columbia
Provincial Court of British Columbia
November 25, 2020
UPDATED NOTICES TO THE PUBLIC WITH NEW INFORMATION REGARDING FACE MASKS
This updated Notice to the Public Regarding the Court of Appeal's Response to COVID-19 replaces the Notice to the Public issued by the Chief Justice of British Columbia on 6 November 2020 and contains new information regarding mandatory face coverings in section 3.3.2 (in courtroom hearings).
This updated Notice to the Public Regarding Access to Court Proceedings during the Pandemic replaces the Notice to the Public issued by the Chief Justice of British Columbia on 6 November 2020 and contains new information regarding mandatory face coverings in the section regarding access to hearings in the courtroom.
November 19, 2020
JUDICIAL LAW CLERK PROGRAM RECRUITMENT FOR THE 2022 - 2023 TERM
Applications will be accepted to the Judicial Law Clerk Program for the 2022-2023 term starting January 4, 2021. The deadline for applications is Friday, January 18, 2021 at 3:00 pm, with video conference interviews to be scheduled in early February and March, 2021.
Learn more about the Judicial Law Clerk Program including the required qualifications and application process here.
November 9, 2020
APPEAL HEARINGS TO PROCEED BY VIDEOCONFERENCE
Effective immediately and until further notice, all appeal hearings will be heard via Zoom unless otherwise directed. The Chief Justice of British Columbia makes this direction in response to the recent BC public health order aimed at minimizing travel and social contact and encouraging people to work from home where possible. Parties must continue to follow all other directions set out in the various Public Notices of the Court of Appeal. Please complete the Court Proceedings Form at least seven days before the hearing date with an indication of videoconference as the preferred mode of hearing until further notice. Parties who have already scheduled an in person hearing will be contacted by the registry.