The Judiciary

Canada's Court System

(Source: Department of Justice, Government of Canada)

Canada's system of courts is complex - like the society it serves. There are several levels and types of court, and questions of jurisdiction can be difficult to sort out, especially since courts that share the same functions may go by different names. Both the federal government and the provincial and territorial governments pass laws, and they also share the administration of justice, but the relationship is not simple. For instance, the provinces and territories are responsible for providing everything necessary for their courts, from building and maintaining the courthouses, to providing staff and resources such as interpreters, court reporters to prepare transcripts, sheriffs, and registry services, to paying provincial/territorial court judges; yet the judges for the superior courts are appointed and paid by the federal government. Administration of the Supreme Court of Canada and federally created courts is the responsibility of the federal government.

How the Courts are Organised

There are essentially four levels of court in Canada. First there are provincial/territorial courts, which handle the great majority of cases that come into the system. Second are the provincial/territorial superior courts. These courts deal with more serious crimes and also take appeals from provincial/territorial court judgments. On the same level, but responsible for different issues, is the Federal Court. At the next level are the provincial/territorial courts of appeal and the Federal Court of Appeal, while the highest level is occupied by the Supreme Court of Canada.

This section will look at:

• Provincial/Territorial Courts
• The Federal Courts
• Specialised Federal Courts
• The Supreme Court of Canada
• New Approaches to Justice
• The Courts and Related Processes
• Keeping the System Fair and Efficient

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Related Links

• The Supreme Court of Canada
• The Federal Court of Appeal
• The Federal Court
• Court Martial Appeal Court
• Tax Court of Canada
• British Columbia Courts
• Alberta Courts
• Saskatchewan Courts
• Manitoba Courts
• Ontario Courts
• Quebec Courts
• New Brunswick Courts
• Nova Scotia Courts
• Prince Edward Island Courts
• Newfoundland and Labrador Courts
• Nunavut Courts
• Northwest Territories Courts
• Yukon Courts