Supreme Court of Canada

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The Supreme Court of Canada (SCC; French: Cour suprême du Canada ) is the highest court of Canada. It has the ultimate and final appellate jurisdiction in the Canadian justice system. The court was established in 1875 by the Supreme Court Act and is located in Ottawa, Ontario.

History

The Supreme Court of Canada was created by an act of the Parliament of Canada in 1875. Initially, the court's decisions could be appealed to the Judicial Committee of the Privy Council in the United Kingdom. This right of appeal was abolished in 1949, making the Supreme Court of Canada the final court of appeal in the country.

Composition

The court is composed of nine justices, including the Chief Justice of Canada. Justices are appointed by the Governor General of Canada on the advice of the Prime Minister of Canada. The appointments are made from among the judges of the provincial and territorial superior courts or from among the lawyers who have been members of a provincial or territorial bar for at least ten years.

Jurisdiction

The Supreme Court of Canada has jurisdiction over all areas of law, including constitutional law, administrative law, criminal law, and civil law. The court hears appeals from decisions of the provincial and territorial courts of appeal, the Federal Court of Appeal, and the Court Martial Appeal Court of Canada.

Notable Cases

Some of the most notable cases decided by the Supreme Court of Canada include:

• Reference Re Secession of Quebec
• R v Morgentaler
• R v Oakes
• Carter v Canada (AG)

Building

The Supreme Court of Canada building is located at 301 Wellington Street in Ottawa. The building was designed by architect Ernest Cormier and was completed in 1946. It is a prominent example of Art Deco architecture in Canada.

Related Pages

• Judicial appointments in Canada
• Constitution Act, 1867
• Chief Justice of Canada
• Parliament of Canada
• Governor General of Canada
• Provincial and territorial superior courts
• Federal Court of Appeal
• Court Martial Appeal Court of Canada

See Also

• Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms
• Judicial Committee of the Privy Council
• Canadian legal system
• List of Supreme Court of Canada cases