Supreme Court
The Supreme Court of British Columbia is the province's superior trial court. The Supreme Court is a court of general and inherent jurisdiction which means that it can hear any type of case, civil or criminal. It hears most appeals from the Provincial Court in civil and criminal cases and appeals from arbitrations. A party may appeal a decision of the Supreme Court to the Court of Appeal.
The Supreme Court Act, R.S.B.C. 1996, c. 443, provides for a Chief Justice of the Supreme Court, an Associate Chief Justice, and 95 other judges. The legislation also provides for supernumerary judges who sit hearing cases part-time. There are also 13 Supreme Court associate judges who hear and dispose of a wide variety of applications in chambers. The Supreme Court also has a Registrar who hears assessments relating to bills of costs, reviews lawyers' accounts, settles orders, references of various types and deals with bankruptcy discharge applications.
ANNOUNCEMENTS
July 2, 2024
CRIMINAL PRACTICE DIRECTION 8 (CPD-8) - PUBLICATION BANS IN CRIMINAL PROCEEDINGS - IN COURT PRACTICE
Associate Chief Justice Holmes has issued Criminal Practice Direction 8 (CPD-8), to improve the clarity of publication bans made in criminal proceedings, and the accuracy of court records documenting them. CPD-8 will be effective August 6, 2024. CPD-8 can be found here.
June 18, 2024
JUDICIAL TRANSFERS
The Supreme Court of British Columbia announces the following judicial transfers:
- The Honourable Brenda Brown to Abbotsford effective May 29, 2024 from New Westminster.
- The Honourable Mr. Justice Gary P. Weatherill to Vernon effective May 6, 2024 from Kelowna.
June 10, 2024
JUDICIAL RETIREMENT - THE HONOURABLE JUSTICE CAROL ROSS
The Honourable Justice Carol J. Ross retired from the Supreme Court of British Columbia at Vancouver on June 9, 2024. Justice Ross was appointed to the Supreme Court in 2001.
May 27, 2024
JUDICIAL APPOINTMENTS
The Supreme Court of British Columbia welcomes the appointments of Justice Judith E. Hoffman, Justice Shannon P. Ramsay, Justice Edlyn Laurie and Justice Alison M. Latimer to Vancouver, and Justice Lisa J. Hamilton to New Westminster. For more information please see the press release issued by the Department of Justice. Public welcoming ceremonies will be held at a date to be scheduled and information about the ceremonies will be posted on the Court's website.
May 27, 2024
NOTICE TO COUNSEL - OFFICIAL LANGUAGE RIGHTS OF ACCUSED PERSONS
The recent decision of the Supreme Court of Canada in R. v. Tayo Tompouba, 2024 SCC 16, requires that the Court review its existing case load and ensure that each accused person has been properly informed of their official language rights under s. 530 of the Criminal Code. In the coming weeks, the Court will be arranging for appearances by the accused person in all criminal cases that have not yet proceeded to trial. The accused person will be asked to appear (in person or by video) even where a counsel designation is on file.
These appearances will show on the court list as "s. 530 hearings", and will be for the purpose of informing accused persons of their s. 530 rights, and confirming their choice of the official language of the trial.
We ask for the criminal bar's cooperation and patience in this process of ensuring that the language rights of all accused persons are respected.
If you have any questions or concerns about the scheduling of these appearances, please contact the appropriate scheduling office.