NCJ Number
155246
Date Published
1994
Length
10 pages
Annotation
This brochure instructs Canadian citizens in the various types of Canadian courts, court-related programs and agencies, and court administration.
Abstract
The highest court is the Supreme Court of Canada, which is the general court of appeal from all other Canadian courts, civil, criminal, and constitutional. The Federal Court of Canada is organized into appeal and trial divisions; although it is based in Ottawa, the judges of both divisions may sit across the Nation. The court reviews the disputed decisions of Federal boards, commissions, and tribunals. The Tax Court of Canada has jurisdiction over tax and revenue matters and sits in major cities across the Nation. Courts martial are established under the Federal National Defence Act to try members of the armed forces for breaches of the military Code of Service Discipline. The majority of criminal trials are in the Provincial Courts, which may also include family and small claims divisions, as well as a youth or young offenders division. Each court typically employs a person who is responsible for managing the administrative work of the court, including the appointment of staff and the management of finances. Other courts include the work of judicial officers who operate as judges in pretrial, informal, and formal court proceedings to assess penalties under summary conviction, set bail, release prisoners on bail, take informations, and issue search warrants. There are also "circle courts," which operate in aboriginal communities as a reflection of the cultural tradition of an informal group meeting to handle law-breaking. Programs and other institutions described in this brochure are the Native Court Worker Program, the Commissioner for Federal Judicial Affairs, and the Canadian Judicial Council.