British Columbia Court of Appeal

Court of appeal of the province of British Columbia in Canada

The British Columbia Court of Appeal (BCCA) is the highest appellate court in the province of British Columbia, Canada. It was established in 1910 following the 1907 Court of Appeal Act.

The BCCA hears appeals from the Supreme Court of British Columbia and a number of boards and tribunals. The BCCA also hears criminal appeals from the Provincial Court of British Columbia where the proceedings in that court were by indictment. It will hear summary conviction appeals from the Supreme Court on criminal matters that originated in the Provincial Court. Statute restricts appeals on civil matters from the Provincial Court (Small Claims) to the Supreme Court. However, some Provincial Court civil matters may come before the BCCA on very narrow matters having to do with questions of administrative law or other unusual circumstances.

The BCCA consists of 15 justices (including a chief justice) in addition to 9 supernumerary justices. All justices of the BCCA (including the position of Chief Justice) are appointed by the federal government. The central registry for the BCCA is in Vancouver, where the BCCA holds most of its sittings. The BCCA also occasionally hears cases in Victoria, Kelowna, and Kamloops. The judges for the court also double as judges for the Yukon Court of Appeal. Cases from Yukon are heard in both Vancouver and in Whitehorse. A full division of the court consists of five justices; however, most cases are heard by a division of three justices. A single justice will preside over matters heard in "chambers", usually interlocutory matters or applications for leave to appeal.

Unlike in Ontario where a sitting of the Court of Appeal is referred to as a "panel", in the BCCA a sitting of the court is referred to as a "division". Counsel appearing in the BCCA are required to "gown". This court dress is identical to that worn in the Supreme Court of British Columbia, and consists of a white wing collar with tabs, along with a black bar jacket and black gown (some counsel will wear a black waistcoat and suit rather than a bar jacket). Male barristers will generally wear black or striped trousers, with female barristers wearing either trousers or a skirt. King's Counsel wear a more elaborate bar jacket as well as a silk gown. Court dress is not required for matters heard in Chambers, wherein standard business dress can be worn by both counsel and the sitting justice. All courts in the province of British Columbia display the Arms of His Majesty in Right of the United Kingdom, as a symbol of its judiciary.

The court moved from its previous location (what is now the Vancouver Art Gallery) to the present Arthur Erickson designed Vancouver Law Courts in 1980. One of the courtrooms from the old courthouse was reconstructed in the new building; when in session, a division of the court will often preside in this Heritage Courtroom (Courtroom 50).

Name Duration Nominated by Prior position Mr. Justice P. D. Lowry June 30, 2003 2018 Chretien Supreme Court of British Columbia Madam Justice Kathryn E. Neilson May 9, 2008 2016 Stephen Harper (BCCA) Supreme Court of British Columbia Christopher E. Hinkson (2010 2013) Jo Ann E. Prowse (1992 2013) Catherine Anne Ryan (1994 2013) Lance Finch (Chief Justice) (1993 2013) M. Anne Rowles (1991 2011) Carol Mahood Huddart (1996 2011) Kenneth C. Mackenzie (1998 2011) Ronald I. Cheffins (1985 1987) Allan D. Thackray (2001 2007) M. F. Southin (1988 2006) Thomas R. Braidwood (1996 2005) William A. Esson (1983 1989) (1996 2005) (Chief Justice, B. C. Supreme Court 1989 1996) Wallace T. Oppal (2003 2005) John Douglas Lambert (1978 2005) H. A. Hollinrake (1990 2004) Patricia M. Proudfoot (1989 2002) G. S. Cumming (1989 2001) Allan McEachern (Chief Justice) (1988 2001) D. B. Hinds (1990 1999) D. M. M. ("Michael") Goldie (1991 1999) A. B. Macfarlane (1982 1999) R. J. Gibbs (1989 1999) A. B. B. Carrothers (1973 1998) H. P. Legg (1989 1997) E. E. Hinkson (1977 1996) H. E. Hutcheon (1980 1996) Josiah Wood (1989 1996) Samuel Toy (1988 1993) Beverley McLachlin (1985 1988) (Appointed puisne justice of the Supreme Court of Canada 1989 2000; appointed Chief Justice of Canada (2000–2017)) Bryan Williams Robert J. Bauman June 16, 2013 October 1, 2023 HarperChief Justice of the Supreme Court of British Columbia (September 9, 2009 to June 16, 2013) Puisne Justice, British Columbia Court of Appeal (February 20, 2008 to September 9, 2009) Supreme Court Justice (June 20, 1996 to February 20, 2008)