The Provincial Court is the first level of court in British Columbia. The Court's jurisdiction includes criminal, family, child protection, small claims, and traffic cases.

The Court sits throughout the province and hundreds of people attend the Provincial Court every day. For these people, this Court represents the face of justice in British Columbia.

The Court adopted the following statement of principles in 2002:

As an independent judiciary, the Provincial Court of British Columbia is committed above all to upholding the Rule of Law and the Constitution of Canada. We aspire to be fair, impartial, compassionate and patient in a knowledgeable and consistent application of the law to all persons, with due regard to each person’s circumstances. We strive in serving the communities of BC to provide reasonable and equal access to justice for all persons through traditional and innovative processes which, to the extent permitted by law and our resources, are practical, speedy, inexpensive, and simple.

As part of the Court’s program of Public Outreach, the Chief Judge and the Court’s Public Information Committee will answer inquiries regarding the Court and the justice system, through Ask the Chief Judge.

Judicial vacancies are anticipated in the lower mainland and the interior within the next year. Judicial Council welcomes applications to these locations: Judicial Appointment Process

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Provincial Court of British Columbia
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