Courts of BC

CourtsofBC.ca is a website that uses information and instructional videos to describe the structure and function of BC’s Provincial Court, Supreme Court and Court of Appeal. Many topics are covered by the website, including:

The program is suitable for Civics 11, Social Studies 11 and Law 12 courses.

Purchase The Courts of BC

The Courts of BC DVD and Teacher's Guide: $ 25. Order this publication

Handouts

Downloadable handouts can be used by students as class notes. It is recommended that the students read them prior to each lesson.

Videos

CourtsofBC.ca features an introductory video and three additional videos that describe the structure and function of BC’s Provincial Court, Supreme Court and Court of Appeal. Many topics are covered, including Election and Burden of Proof, How Supreme Court Works and Appeal Court Compared to Trial Courts.

Teacher's Guide

The CourtsofBC.ca Teacher’s Guide accompanies the videos that describe the structure and function of BC’s Provincial Court, Supreme Court and Court of Appeal. The Teacher’s Guide covers many topics, including a program overview, IRPs learning outcomes, three lessons with activities, a final exam and enrichment activities.

Upon completion of this program, students will be able to:

  • Understand terms such as access to the courts and judicial independence
  • Differentiate between civil and criminal law
  • Appreciate that the same fact pattern can result in a civil and criminal case
  • Understand the difference in the burden of proof between a civil and criminal case
  • Appreciate the role of each court in BC
  • Understand that the jurisdiction of a court determines what types of cases it hears
  • Understand the difference between a trial court and an appeal court in terms of cases heard and procedure followed
  • Analyze fact patterns to determine what courts will hear cases based on those facts
  • Understand terms like “accused”, “plaintiff”, “respondent”, “defendant”, ”writ” and “statement of claim” in relation to the court system
  • Organize information in order of importance
  • Know who works in the courts and their roles
  • Know some of the traditions of the court
  • Understand how the court works in terms of number of judges, masters, how judges are addressed, court dress and hours of operation
  • Understand that following precedent or previously decided cases with similar fact patterns is part of the decision making process in the courts
  • Know how to get more information on the court system