The Judicial System

- Interpret the laws made and administered by the legislative and executive branches.

- Settle disputes between two individuals, an individual and the government, and the different levels of government.

Court System

Supreme court of Canada

- Senior court in the land

- Final appeal court for all civil and criminal cases

- Addresses constitutional issues referred by the federal government

Federal Court

- Deals with income tax, patents, customs cases, and immigration

Court of Ontario

- Superior Court of Justice

o Criminal prosecutions of indictable offences

o Criminal prosecutions involving young people

- Divisional Court

o Reviews decisions of administrative boards, tribunals, and public servants

- Court of Appeal for Ontario

o Requests to change or overturn decisions made by lower courts

Ontario Court of Justice

- Criminal Law Division

o People charge in 96% of criminal offences

o Minor offences in provincial law

o Youths charged under Youth Criminal Justice Act

- Family Court

o Deals with family matters

- Justice of the Peace

o Deals with bail hearings

Small Claims Court

- Settles claims worth up to $10 000