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{{Use Canadian English|date=January 2019 | {{Short description|British Columbia's superior trial court}} | ||
{{Use Canadian English|date=January 2019}}{{Use mdy dates|date=January 2019}}{{third-party|date=February 2015}} | |||
{{Infobox high court | {{Infobox high court | ||
|court_name = Supreme Court of British Columbia | |court_name = Supreme Court of British Columbia | ||
|image = <!-- please see the talk page for examples where the -->Royal Coat of Arms of the United Kingdom (Tudor crown).svg<!-- is used by the Supreme Court of British Columbia --> | |image = <!-- please see the talk page for examples where the -->Royal Coat of Arms of the United Kingdom (Tudor crown).svg<!-- is used by the Supreme Court of British Columbia --> | ||
|imagesize = 150px | |imagesize = 150px | ||
|caption = | |caption = The Royal Arms of the United Kingdom, used by the Supreme Court | ||
|established = | |established = | ||
| | |jurisdiction = [[Image:Flag of British Columbia.svg|border|20px]] [[British Columbia]] | ||
|location= Cariboo; Kootenay; Nanaimo; Prince Rupert; Vancouver; Victoria; New Westminster; and Yale | |location= Cariboo; Kootenay; Nanaimo; Prince Rupert; Vancouver; Victoria; New Westminster; and Yale | ||
|coordinates= | |coordinates= | ||
|type = | |type = | ||
|authority = Supreme Court Act, 1996 | |authority = ''Supreme Court Act, 1996'' | ||
|terms = | |terms = | ||
|positions = 102 | |positions = 102 | ||
|website = [http://www.courts.gov.bc.ca/supreme_court/ Supreme Court] | |website = [http://www.courts.gov.bc.ca/supreme_court/ Supreme Court] | ||
|chiefjudgetitle = Chief Justice | |chiefjudgetitle = Chief Justice | ||
|chiefjudgename = | |chiefjudgename = Ron Skolrood | ||
|termstart = | |termstart = October 2024 | ||
}} | }} | ||
The '''Supreme Court of British Columbia''' is the [[superior court|superior trial court]] for the [[ | The '''Supreme Court of British Columbia''' is the [[superior court|superior trial court]] for the [[provinces and territories of Canada|province]] of [[British Columbia]], Canada. The Court hears [[civil law (common law)|civil]] and [[criminal law]] cases as well as appeals from the [[Provincial Court of British Columbia]]. There are 90 judicial positions on the Court in addition to supernumerary judges, making for a grand total of 108 judges.<ref>[http://www.fja.gc.ca/appointments-nominations/judges-juges-eng.aspx NUMBER OF FEDERALLY APPOINTED JUDGES AS OF JULY 1, 2018, www.fja.gc.ca]</ref> There are also 13 Supreme Court [[master (judiciary)|masters]], who hear and dispose of a wide variety of applications in chambers.<ref name="iafd">{{cite web | title = BC Supreme Court "About us" |url =http://www.courts.gov.bc.ca/supreme_court/about_the_supreme_court/| access-date = 2011-07-19 }}</ref> | ||
The court was established in 1859 as the "Supreme Court of the Mainland of British Columbia" to distinguish it from the "Supreme Court of Vancouver Island". The two courts merged in 1870 under the present name.<ref> {{cite book|title=The Laws of British Columbia: Consisting of the Acts, Ordinances |page= 112}} </ref> | The court was established in 1859 as the "Supreme Court of the Mainland of British Columbia" to distinguish it from the "Supreme Court of Vancouver Island". The two courts merged in 1870 under the present name.<ref>{{cite book|title=The Laws of British Columbia: Consisting of the Acts, Ordinances |page= 112}}</ref> | ||
==Jurisdiction== | ==Jurisdiction== | ||
The British Columbia Supreme Court is a [[court of record]] | The British Columbia Supreme Court is a [[court of record]] and has original [[jurisdiction]] in all cases, civil and criminal, arising in British Columbia. The Court has [[inherent jurisdiction]] under the [[Constitution of Canada]], in addition to any jurisdiction granted to it by federal or provincial statute. | ||
The Court has jurisdiction in any civil dispute, including those matters where the dollar amount involved is within the jurisdiction of the [[Small claims court|Small Claims]] division of the Provincial Court. Under the [[Criminal Code (Canada)|''Criminal Code'']], the Court is included as a "superior court of criminal jurisdiction" | The Court has jurisdiction in any civil dispute, including those matters where the dollar amount involved is within the jurisdiction of the [[Small claims court|Small Claims]] division of the Provincial Court. Under the [[Criminal Code (Canada)|''Criminal Code'']], the Court is included as a "superior court of criminal jurisdiction" meaning that it has exclusive jurisdiction for the trial of serious crimes within British Columbia. | ||
The Court also hears some appeals from the Provincial Court and some administrative tribunals. | The Court also hears some appeals from the Provincial Court and some administrative tribunals. Appeals from its own judgments are heard by the [[British Columbia Court of Appeal]]. | ||
The Supreme Court is also responsible for call ceremonies for admitting [[lawyers]] and [[ | The Supreme Court is also responsible for call ceremonies for admitting [[lawyers]] and [[Notary public#Canada|notaries public]] where the respective oath of office is administered by a justice.<ref>[http://www.lawsociety.bc.ca/page.cfm?cid=33 Call and Admission to the Bar]</ref><ref>[http://www.notaries.bc.ca/resources/Upload/28-06-2011-09-54-36_BecomingANotary-062711_ONLINE%20VERSION.pdf Information on Becoming aBC Notary Public]</ref> | ||
== | ==Judges and associate judges== | ||
All justices of the Supreme Court (including the position of [[Chief Justice]] and Associate Chief Justice) are appointed by the [[Government of Canada|federal]] [[Cabinet of Canada|cabinet]], on recommendation of the [[Minister of Justice (Canada)|Minister of Justice]]. All justices have full jurisdiction over any matter before the Court. | All justices of the Supreme Court (including the position of [[Chief Justice]] and Associate Chief Justice) are appointed by the [[Government of Canada|federal]] [[Cabinet of Canada|cabinet]], on recommendation of the [[Minister of Justice (Canada)|Minister of Justice]]. All justices have full jurisdiction over any matter before the Court. | ||
Associate judges are appointed by the provincial [[Executive Council of British Columbia|cabinet]], on recommendation of the [[Attorney General]] in consultation with the Chief Justice. As provincial appointees, associate judges do not have inherent jurisdiction. Their jurisdiction is limited to those matters granted to them by [[statute]] and the Rules of Court. Associate judges preside in chambers, where they usually hear [[interlocutory]] applications and other pre-[[trial (law)|trial]] matters. Associate judges cannot hear civil trials and do not preside in criminal matters.<ref>{{Cite web |date=September 5, 2025 |title=Province appoints new associate judge for B.C. Supreme Court |url=https://news.gov.bc.ca/releases/2025AG0045-000828 |access-date=October 22, 2025 |publisher=[[Government of British Columbia]]}}</ref> | |||
Associate judges were originally known as masters. Pursuant to a British Columbia [[Order in Council]], the position was renamed from "master" to "associate judge".<ref>{{Cite web |date=June 25, 2025 |title=Associate Judges (formerly Masters) |url=https://www.courthouselibrary.ca/how-we-can-help/our-legal-knowledge-base/associate-judges-formerly-masters |access-date=October 22, 2025 |website=Courthouse Libraries BC}}</ref> In court, masters were addressed as "Master," but in a practice direction issued on September 6, 1991, then Chief Justice Esson advised the most appropriate form of address would be "your Honour". Masters also sit and hear matters as registrars, hearing such matters as assessments of solicitors fees and accounts. | |||
==Judicial districts== | ==Judicial districts== | ||
The Supreme Court sits in eight judicial districts called "[[counties of British Columbia|counties]]". That is the only usage of "county" in British Columbia, which is a reference only to such court districts and has no similarity to the meaning in other provinces of Canada, the United States or United Kingdom. Prior to 1990, there existed in British Columbia a [[county court|County Court]], an intermediate court between the Provincial Court and the Supreme Court. In 1990, the County Court was merged with the Supreme Court, and its judges became justices of the Supreme Court. The judicial districts of the Supreme Court have the same boundaries of the counties of the former County Court.<ref name="bcsc">{{cite web|title=Supreme Court - Court Locations and Contacts|url=http://www.courts.gov.bc.ca/supreme_court/court_locations_and_contacts.aspx|website=The Courts of British Columbia|access-date=8 April 2018}}</ref> The judicial districts are: Cariboo; Kootenay; Nanaimo; Prince Rupert; Vancouver Westminster; Victoria; and Yale.<ref>{{Cite canlaw|short title =Supreme Court Act|abbr =RSBC|year =1996|chapter =443|section =8(1).|link =https://www.bclaws.gov.bc.ca/civix/document/id/complete/statreg/96443_01#section8}}</ref> Within each county, or judicial district, justices are resident in the following locations: | |||
The | |||
* [[Abbotsford, British Columbia|Abbotsford]] | * [[Abbotsford, British Columbia|Abbotsford]] | ||
* [[Chilliwack]] | * [[Chilliwack]] | ||
| Line 55: | Line 55: | ||
* [[Vancouver]] | * [[Vancouver]] | ||
The Supreme Court also holds sittings in the following court locations for which there is not a resident justice:<ref name="bcsc" /> | The Supreme Court also holds sittings in the following court locations for which there is not a resident justice:<ref name="bcsc" /> | ||
* [[Campbell River, British Columbia|Campbell River]] | * [[Campbell River, British Columbia|Campbell River]] | ||
| Line 80: | Line 80: | ||
{| class="wikitable" | {| class="wikitable" | ||
! Name<ref name=":0">{{Cite web|url=http://www.courts.gov.bc.ca/supreme_court/about_the_supreme_court/Judges_and_Masters_of_the_Supreme_Court.aspx|title=Supreme Court - Members of the Supreme Court|website=www.courts.gov.bc.ca|access-date=2018-08-15}}</ref> | ! Name<ref name=":0">{{Cite web|url=http://www.courts.gov.bc.ca/supreme_court/about_the_supreme_court/Judges_and_Masters_of_the_Supreme_Court.aspx|title=Supreme Court - Members of the Supreme Court|website=www.courts.gov.bc.ca|access-date=2018-08-15}}</ref> | ||
! Duration | ! Duration | ||
|- | |- | ||
|Christopher E. Hinkson || | | Ron Skolrood || 2024-Present | ||
|- | |||
|Christopher E. Hinkson || 2013–2024 | |||
|- | |- | ||
| [[Robert J. Bauman|Robert James Bauman]]|| 2009–2013 | | [[Robert J. Bauman|Robert James Bauman]]|| 2009–2013 | ||
| Line 108: | Line 109: | ||
| [[Aulay MacAulay Morrison]] || 1929–1942 | | [[Aulay MacAulay Morrison]] || 1929–1942 | ||
|- | |- | ||
| Gordon Hunter || 1902–1929 | | [[Gordon Hunter (judge)|Gordon Hunter]] || 1902–1929 | ||
|- | |- | ||
| Angus John McColl ||1898–1902 | | Angus John McColl ||1898–1902 | ||
Latest revision as of 10:26, 10 February 2026
 | This article may rely excessively on sources too closely associated with the subject, potentially preventing the article from being verifiable and neutral. (February 2015) |
| Supreme Court of British Columbia | |
|---|---|
.svg) The Royal Arms of the United Kingdom, used by the Supreme Court | |
| Jurisdiction |  British Columbia |
| Location | Cariboo; Kootenay; Nanaimo; Prince Rupert; Vancouver; Victoria; New Westminster; and Yale |
| Authorized by | Supreme Court Act, 1996 |
| Number of positions | 102 |
| Website | Supreme Court |
| Chief Justice | |
| Currently | Ron Skolrood |
| Since | October 2024 |
The Supreme Court of British Columbia is the superior trial court for the province of British Columbia, Canada. The Court hears civil and criminal law cases as well as appeals from the Provincial Court of British Columbia. There are 90 judicial positions on the Court in addition to supernumerary judges, making for a grand total of 108 judges.[1] There are also 13 Supreme Court masters, who hear and dispose of a wide variety of applications in chambers.[2]
The court was established in 1859 as the "Supreme Court of the Mainland of British Columbia" to distinguish it from the "Supreme Court of Vancouver Island". The two courts merged in 1870 under the present name.[3]
Jurisdiction[edit | edit source]
The British Columbia Supreme Court is a court of record and has original jurisdiction in all cases, civil and criminal, arising in British Columbia. The Court has inherent jurisdiction under the Constitution of Canada, in addition to any jurisdiction granted to it by federal or provincial statute.
The Court has jurisdiction in any civil dispute, including those matters where the dollar amount involved is within the jurisdiction of the Small Claims division of the Provincial Court. Under the Criminal Code, the Court is included as a "superior court of criminal jurisdiction" meaning that it has exclusive jurisdiction for the trial of serious crimes within British Columbia.
The Court also hears some appeals from the Provincial Court and some administrative tribunals. Appeals from its own judgments are heard by the British Columbia Court of Appeal.
The Supreme Court is also responsible for call ceremonies for admitting lawyers and notaries public where the respective oath of office is administered by a justice.[4][5]
Judges and associate judges[edit | edit source]
All justices of the Supreme Court (including the position of Chief Justice and Associate Chief Justice) are appointed by the federal cabinet, on recommendation of the Minister of Justice. All justices have full jurisdiction over any matter before the Court.
Associate judges are appointed by the provincial cabinet, on recommendation of the Attorney General in consultation with the Chief Justice. As provincial appointees, associate judges do not have inherent jurisdiction. Their jurisdiction is limited to those matters granted to them by statute and the Rules of Court. Associate judges preside in chambers, where they usually hear interlocutory applications and other pre-trial matters. Associate judges cannot hear civil trials and do not preside in criminal matters.[6]
Associate judges were originally known as masters. Pursuant to a British Columbia Order in Council, the position was renamed from "master" to "associate judge".[7] In court, masters were addressed as "Master," but in a practice direction issued on September 6, 1991, then Chief Justice Esson advised the most appropriate form of address would be "your Honour". Masters also sit and hear matters as registrars, hearing such matters as assessments of solicitors fees and accounts.
Judicial districts[edit | edit source]
The Supreme Court sits in eight judicial districts called "counties". That is the only usage of "county" in British Columbia, which is a reference only to such court districts and has no similarity to the meaning in other provinces of Canada, the United States or United Kingdom. Prior to 1990, there existed in British Columbia a County Court, an intermediate court between the Provincial Court and the Supreme Court. In 1990, the County Court was merged with the Supreme Court, and its judges became justices of the Supreme Court. The judicial districts of the Supreme Court have the same boundaries of the counties of the former County Court.[8] The judicial districts are: Cariboo; Kootenay; Nanaimo; Prince Rupert; Vancouver Westminster; Victoria; and Yale.[9] Within each county, or judicial district, justices are resident in the following locations:
- Abbotsford
- Chilliwack
- Cranbrook
- Kamloops
- Kelowna
- Nanaimo
- Nelson
- New Westminster
- Prince George
- Prince Rupert
- Victoria
- Vancouver
The Supreme Court also holds sittings in the following court locations for which there is not a resident justice:[8]
- Campbell River
- Courtenay
- Dawson Creek
- Duncan
- Fort Nelson
- Fort St. John
- Golden
- Penticton
- Port Alberni
- Powell River
- Quesnel
- Revelstoke
- Rossland
- Salmon Arm
- Smithers
- Terrace
- Vernon
- Williams Lake
Chief Justices of the Supreme Court[edit | edit source]
Prior to 1909, when the British Columbia Court of Appeal was established, the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court was considered the Chief Justice of British Columbia.
| Name[10] | Duration |
|---|---|
| Ron Skolrood | 2024-Present |
| Christopher E. Hinkson | 2013–2024 |
| Robert James Bauman | 2009–2013 |
| Donald Ian Brenner | 2000–2009 |
| Bryan Williams | 1996–2000 |
| William A. Esson | 1989–1996 |
| Beverley McLachlin (afterwards Chief Justice of Canada, 2000–2017) | 1988–1989 |
| Allan McEachern (afterwards Chief Justice of BC Court of Appeal, 1988) | 1979–1988 |
| Nathaniel Nemetz (afterwards Chief Justice of BC Court of Appeal, 1979) | 1973–1979 |
| John Owen Wilson | 1963–1973 |
| Sherwood Lett (afterwards Chief Justice of BC Court of Appeal, 1963) | 1955–1963 |
| Wendell Burpee Farris (died 1955) | 1942–1955 |
| Aulay MacAulay Morrison | 1929–1942 |
| Gordon Hunter | 1902–1929 |
| Angus John McColl | 1898–1902 |
| Theodore Davie | 1895–1898 |
| Matthew Baillie Begbie (incumbent Chief Justice of the Colony of British Columbia at the time B.C. joined Canada) | 1869–1894 |
Associate Chief Justices of the Supreme Court[edit | edit source]
| Name[10] | Duration |
|---|---|
| Heather J. Holmes | 2018–present |
| Austin F. Cullen | 2011–2017 |
| Anne W. MacKenzie | 2010–2011 |
| Patrick D. Dohm | 1995–2010 |
References[edit | edit source]
- ↑ NUMBER OF FEDERALLY APPOINTED JUDGES AS OF JULY 1, 2018, www.fja.gc.ca
- ↑ "BC Supreme Court "About us"". Retrieved July 19, 2011.
- ↑ The Laws of British Columbia: Consisting of the Acts, Ordinances. p. 112.
- ↑ Call and Admission to the Bar
- ↑ Information on Becoming aBC Notary Public
- ↑ "Province appoints new associate judge for B.C. Supreme Court". Government of British Columbia. September 5, 2025. Retrieved October 22, 2025.
- ↑ "Associate Judges (formerly Masters)". Courthouse Libraries BC. June 25, 2025. Retrieved October 22, 2025.
- ↑ 8.0 8.1 "Supreme Court - Court Locations and Contacts". The Courts of British Columbia. Retrieved April 8, 2018.
- ↑ Template:Cite canlaw
- ↑ 10.0 10.1 "Supreme Court - Members of the Supreme Court". www.courts.gov.bc.ca. Retrieved August 15, 2018.
Further reading[edit | edit source]
- Verchere, David R. (1988). A progression of judges : a history of the Supreme Court of British Columbia. University of British Columbia Press. ISBN 978-0-7748-0293-2.