BC Court System

Provincial Court: The first level in the BC court system which covers:

• Criminal (first appearances and less serious crimes)
• Family (child custody and maintenance)
• Youth (ages 12 to 17)
• Traffic and municipal bylaw matters
• Small claims (disputes less than $10,000)
• Provincial Court Services available in Nelson and Rossland Courthouses (see separate listings for each Courthouse and areas served)
• Circuit courts only, held in Castlegar, Nakusp and Grand Forks
• The BC Provincial Court has set up a web page with links to articles explaining what people can expect during different types of court proceedings.
• BC Provincial Court Home page

Supreme Court of BC: The province's superior trial court:

• Hears civil cases including divorce, libel and disputes over $10,000.
• Any civil case can go to the Supreme Court.
• Hears serious criminal cases including murder and manslaughter, aggravated assault, bank robbery and major drug cases.
• Sometimes hears appeals from the Provincial Court.
• Cases heard in Rossland and Nelson Courthouses (see separate listings for each Courthouse and areas served).
• BC Supreme Court Home Page

Court of Appeal for BC: Highest court in the province headed by the Chief Justice of BC

• A group of 3 to 5 judges hears appeals from the two lower courts in both criminal and civil cases.
• Court judges sit regularly at the Law Courts in Vancouver and from time to time in Victoria, Kamloops and Kelowna.
• Court of Appeal Registry Office is in Vancouver
• BC Court of Appeal Home Page