Difference between revisions of "Our Court System in a Nutshell"

==Understand the legal framework==

===Most cases start in Provincial Court===

===Criminal Court deals with crime===

A person accused of a crime makes a first appearance in '''Criminal Court'''. If the person is in jail, a judge decides whether to release the person or keep them in jail until their trial. For less serious crimes, the '''trial''' is also held in this court. At the trial, evidence is presented and a decision made about whether the accused is guilty of the crime.

For more serious crimes, the accused person may be able to choose a trial in Criminal Court or in BC Supreme Court. The most serious crimes, like murder and treason, '''must''' be tried in Supreme Court. But even for those cases, a Provincial Court judge will still hold a '''preliminary inquiry''' to decide if there's enough evidence to have a trial in Supreme Court. For more on the criminal court process, see our information on [[Defending Yourself Against a Criminal Charge (Script 211)|defending yourself against a criminal charge (no. 211)]].

===Family and Youth Division handles family and youth cases===

Family problems like custody and access, child and spousal support, and family violence cases are dealt with in '''Family Court'''. For details, see our information on [[Family Court (Script 110)|Family Court (no. 110)]].

'''Youth Court''' handles criminal cases involving young people aged 12 to 17. Our information on [[Youth Justice Court Trials (Script 226)|youth justice trials (no. 226)]] explains proceedings in this court.

===Civil disputes under $35,000===

In a '''civil case''', one party in a conflict says they suffered '''damage''' as a result of conduct of another party. Examples include a contract dispute, a car accident claim, a claim to recover a debt, or a conflict between family members about who inherits property.  

In a civil case, one party files court documents to [[What is Small Claims Court? (Script 165)|start the lawsuit]]. The other party can file documents to put forward their own position. If the parties can’t settle their case, it goes to trial, where each side presents evidence and the court decides the outcome of the case.

For civil disputes worth between $5,000 and $35,000, the case can be brought in '''Small Claims Court'''. [http://www.provincialcourt.bc.ca/types-of-cases/small-claims-matters This court] is designed for people to act for themselves; for example, all the forms are in plain language. For more, see our information on [[[Suing Someone in Small Claims Court (Script 166)|Suing Someone in Small Claims Court #166]] Small Claims Court] (no. 166 to 168).  

Claims of $5,000 and less are dealt with by the '''Civil Resolution Tribunal'''. [https://civilresolutionbc.ca/ This tribunal] is an online system people can use without the help of a lawyer.  

===Traffic Court handles traffic and some other offences===

If someone disputes a ticket for a driving offence under provincial laws (such as speeding, distracted driving, or driving without insurance), a hearing will be set in '''Traffic Court'''.  

This court also handles some other offences under provincial laws, such as trespass or liquor offences, as well as bylaw offences like zoning and building code violations.

===BC Supreme Court deals with serious criminal and civil trials===

'''BC Supreme Court''' handles both criminal and civil cases. [https://www.courts.gov.bc.ca/supreme_court/ This court] is where the most serious criminal trials, for murder and treason, are heard. Other serious criminal cases involving drugs, rape and attempted murder are usually tried here too.  

For civil cases, Supreme Court hears claims for more than $35,000 and some cases for less than that where the law requires the claim to be brought in Supreme Court. For example, the law requires that a builders’ lien claim or an order for divorce be sought in Supreme Court.

Trials in Supreme Court can be in front of a judge, or a judge and jury.

BC has several Supreme Court “resident” judges. These judges also travel to other places throughout BC to hold trials. Cases in Supreme Court are usually complicated, so most people use lawyers, but they don’t have to.

BC Supreme Court also hears appeals of some Provincial Court decisions.  

===Canada’s two federal courts===

There are two federal courts in Canada: the [http://www.fct-cf.gc.ca Federal Court of Canada] and the [https://www.scc-csc.ca Supreme Court of Canada].

The '''Federal Court of Canada''' has two parts and deals with federal laws. It consists of the Federal Court, which is a trial court, and the Federal Court of Appeal. The Federal Court holds trials for cases where the federal government is being sued or the dispute deals with federal laws (such as immigration or income tax laws). The Federal Court of Appeal hears appeals of decisions by the Federal Court.  

The '''Supreme Court of Canada''' is the highest appeal court in the country. Based in Ottawa, the Supreme Court of Canada hears appeals from decisions of the BC Court of Appeal, from the appeal courts of other provinces, and from the Federal Court of Appeal. Usually, the Supreme Court must agree to hear an appeal — and it doesn't agree to hear every appeal that people request. In some cases, the right to appeal is automatic. Until recently, people often had to go to the court in Ottawa, but now the court hears some appeals by a live video link to a court in Vancouver.

===Are courts open to the public?===

All courtrooms are normally open to the public, so you can attend and watch. You can walk in and no one will ask you what you’re doing, if you’re quiet and don't disturb the proceeding. Some high-profile trials (such as high-profile murder trials or gang trials) are not completely open to the public. They have intense screening of anyone who wants to attend.

===Are there options other than court to resolve a dispute?===

Going to court is one way to resolve a dispute. But there are other ways that can be cheaper, faster, and more effective. Learn about options for “alternative dispute resolution” in our information on [[Resolving Disputes Without Going to Court (Script 429)|resolving disputes without going to court (no. 429)]].

==Get help==

===With more information===

The '''BC Provincial Court''' website features guides on how to handle a case before the court, as well as past court decisions.

:Web: [http://www.provincialcourt.bc.ca provincialcourt.bc.ca]

The '''BC Superior Courts''' website includes information for BC Supreme Court and BC Court of Appeal, including information for self-represented litigants appearing in those courts.

:Web: [https://www.courts.gov.bc.ca  courts.gov.bc.ca]  

The '''Justice Education Society''' provides online help guide websites for all levels of court in BC.  

:Web: [https://www.justiceeducation.ca/ justiceeducation.ca]

'''The above was last reviewed for legal accuracy by [https://www.gilchristlaw.com/team/ Steven Gjukich], Gilchrist & Company.'''