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
May 7, 2024
JUDICIAL RETIREMENT - THE HONOURABLE CHIEF JUSTICE CHRISTOPHER E. HINKSON
The Honourable Chief Justice Christopher E. Hinkson retired from the Supreme Court of British Columbia on May 7, 2024. Chief Justice Hinkson was appointed as Chief Justice of the Supreme Court on November 7, 2013 after a having served as a Justice of the Court of Appeal for British Columbia from 2010-2013 and prior to that as Justice of the Supreme Court of British Columbia from 2007-2010. A strong, principled and formidable defender of the importance of the rule of law, the independence of the judiciary and access to justice for all British Columbians, Chief Justice Hinkson also made significant contributions to the administration of justice across the country. The Supreme Court extends its deepest gratitude to Chief Justice Hinkson for his many years of service to and leadership of the court and wishes him the very best for a long and happy retirement.
May 3, 2024
CALL AND ADMISSION CEREMONY - FRIDAY, MAY 10, 2024
This event will take place in the Great Hall at the Vancouver Law Courts at 9:30 am and 1:30 pm. The ceremony will be conducted by The Honourable Justice Joel R. Groves in the morning and the Honourable Justice Michael G. Thomas in the afternoon.
April 22, 2024
JUDICIAL RETIREMENT - THE HONOURABLE JUSTICE BETTON
The Supreme Court of British Columbia announces that the Honourable Justice Betton retired from the Supreme Court of British Columbia at Vernon on April 19, 2024. Justice Betton was appointed to the Supreme Court in 2011.
March 28, 2024
SUPREME COURT ANNUAL REPORT 2023
The Annual Report of the Supreme Court of British Columbia covering the activities of the Court for 2023 is now available.
COVID-19 NOTICES
September 17, 2021
COVID-19 NOTICE NO. 44 - USE OF THE FILE TRANSFER SERVER - INSOLVENCY AND OTHER PROCEEDINGS
COVID-19 Notice No. 44 has been revised to indicate that the Court may direct parties to use the File Transfer Server (FTS) in any kind of proceeding. Parties in insolvency proceedings only can request use of FTS.
In all proceedings, parties using the FTS must adhere to the document formatting standards set out in COVID-19 Notice No. 44.
March 27, 2020
COVID-19 NOTICE NO. 2 - NOTICE TO THE PUBLIC REGARDING AFFIDAVITS FOR USE IN COURT PROCEEDINGS
During the COVID-19 pandemic, the Court of Appeal for British Columbia, the Supreme Court of British Columbia, and the Provincial Court of British Columbia will make accommodations for the commissioning of affidavits in circumstances where it is not possible or is medically unsafe for the deponent to attend before a commissioner. All three levels of court will follow the same process, set out in the directives linked below:
Court of Appeal for British Columbia
Supreme Court of British Columbia
Provincial Court of British Columbia
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