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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, S.B.C. 2021, c. 6. 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.
Quick Reference Guide
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ANNOUNCEMENTS
September 4, 2025
NEW PRACTICE DIRECTIVE - PRONOUNCEMENT OF RESERVED JUDGMENTS
The Court of Appeal has a new practice directive on the
Pronouncement of Reserved Judgments.
Effective September 15, 2025, the Court will pronounce reserved judgments by publishing reasons for judgment on the Court of Appeal's website on the date of release at the time specified on the upcoming judgments list.
Pronouncements of reserved judgments by a justice in open court may take place in special circumstances.
For more details, please read the new Practice Directive here.
September 4, 2025
UPDATED REGISTRAR'S FILING DIRECTIVE
Effective September 4, 2025, the Registrar's Filing Directive has been updated to allow chambers records longer than 300 pages to be e-filed using Court Services
Online.
For more details, please read the Filing Directive here.
September 2, 2025
JUDICIAL RETIREMENT - MADAM JUSTICE ELIZABETH A. BENNETT
On September 1, 2025, the Honourable Madam Justice Elizabeth A. Bennett retired from the Court of Appeal for British Columbia and the Court of Appeal of Yukon. Justice Bennett was appointed to the BC Supreme Court in 1997, the Court Martial Appeal Court of Canada in 1999, and the BC Court of Appeal in 2009, making her one of the few BC judges to serve simultaneously on three appellate courts. Prior to her judicial appointment, Justice Bennett worked in the Criminal Appeals and Special Prosecutions office, eventually serving as its Deputy Director. Since becoming a judge, she has mentored lawyers, judges and law clerks, sharing her loyalty and compassion. The Court wishes her the very best in her retirement.