1. CANADIAN COURT SYSTEM STRUCTURE

2. LEVEL 1-PROVINCIAL COURTS Are divided within each province into various divisions defined by subject matter of their respective jurisdictions Over 700 locations across Canada Smaller offences are tried here (e.g. Traffic violations, assault, young offenders)

3. LEVEL 2-FEDERAL, TAX COURT OF CANADA, PROVINCIAL AND TERRITORIAL SUPERIOR COURTS OF GENERAL JURISDICTION (AKA SUPERIOR COURT) More serious offences are tried in these courts (e.g. Serious sexual offences, murder trials, serious drug charges, etc...) Most trials here are jury trials

4. LEVEL 3-FEDERAL COURT OF APPEAL & PROVINCIAL COURTS OF APPEAL 1 ST level of appeal 3 judges hear your appeal and approve or decline appeal If you are not happy with decision at appeals court you can request another appeal to the supreme court of Canada BUT process is very thorough (must be grounds to appeal-cannot just appeal because you do not like decision)

5. LEVEL 4-SUPREME COURT OF CANADA

6. SUPREME COURT OF CAN CONT... General Court of Appeal for Canada Hears appeals from both Federal and Provincial Court Systems Only one cite located in Ottawa

7. SUPREME COURT OF CAN CONT... 9 judges-1 Chief Justice and 8 puisne judges (puisne means ranked after) All supreme court judges are appointed by the Governor-in-Council Current Chief Justice is the Right Honourable Beverley McLachlin) 3 judges must be from Quebec (traditionally there are 3 from Ontario, 2 from Western Canada and 1 from the Atlantic provinces) Not all judges have to be there to hear a trial (only requirement is that there is an uneven #)

8. Webcasts of Supreme Court of Canada http://www.scc-csc.gc.ca/home- accueil/index-eng.aspx http://www.scc-csc.gc.ca/case- dossier/info/webcasts-webdiffusions- eng.aspx?ya=2013&ses=03&submit=S earch