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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 90 other justices. The legislation also provides for supernumerary judges who sit hearing cases part-time. There are also 15 Supreme Court masters 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
November 25, 2019
CALL AND ADMISSION CEREMONY - FRIDAY, DECEMBER 6, 2019
This event will take place in the Great Hall at the Vancouver Law Courts at 1:30 pm. There will be approximately 104 candidates being called to the Bar. The ceremony will be conducted by The Honourable Mr. Justice Geoffrey B. Gomery.
November 19, 2019
WELCOMING CEREMONY - MASTER KEIM - DECEMBER 2, 2019
The Welcoming Ceremony for the Honourable Master Jennifer Keim will be held on Monday, December 2, 2019 at the Kamloopso Law Courts in Courtroom 5D at 4:30 p.m. Members of the public are invited to attend the Welcoming Ceremony.
November 6, 2019
JUDICIAL RETIREMENT - THE HONOURABLE MR. JUSTICE KENNETH AFFLECK
The Supreme Court of British Columbia announces that the Honourable Mr. Justice Affleck retires from the Supreme Court of British Columbia at Vancouver on November 5, 2019. Mr. Justice Affleck was appointed to the Supreme Court on June 24, 2011.
October 15, 2019
PD-56: NOTIFICATION OF PUBLICATION BAN APPLICATIONS
On October 2, 2019, the Honourable Chief Justice Hinkson issued PD-56: Notification of Publication Ban Applications. PD-56 will be effective October 28, 2019, and will replace the Practice Direction Re: Publication Ban Notification Project - Expansion to New Westminster, dated October 29, 2009.