Court of Appeal of N.L. becomes independent
Change ensures ‘no perceived biases within our courts,’ justice minister says
The Court of Appeal of Newfoundland and Labrador is now a separate court, independent from the Supreme Court of Newfoundland and Labrador, trial division.
Andrew Parsons, minister of Justice and Public Safety and Attorney General, announced Thursday the new Court of Appeal Act, which came into effect on Jan. 1.
The new act, which received Royal Assent on Dec. 7, 2017, brings the province in line with other jurisdictions in Canada.
“The separation of the Court of Appeal and the trial division is significant to the administration of justice,” Parsons said.
“It’s important that we do what we can to ensure there are no perceived biases within our courts and that they operate independently.
“This change brings us in line with our counterparts across the country and it should increase confidence in the courts.”
The change means that any case referring to the Court of Appeal, Appeal Division, the Supreme Court of Newfoundland and Labrador-appeal Division or the Supreme Court of Newfoundland and Labrador, Court
of Appeal, will now be considered by the Court of Appeal of Newfoundland and Labrador.
Any proceeding making reference to the Supreme Court, trial division, or the Supreme Court of Newfoundland and Labrador-trial division, will now be considered by the Supreme Court of Newfoundland and Labrador.
The Supreme Court will continue to be composed of a general division and a family division.
Any proceeding previously underway in the Supreme Court of Newfoundland and Labrador, Court of Appeal, will continue as a proceeding of the Court of Appeal of Newfoundland and Labrador. As well, any proceeding previously underway in the Supreme Court of Newfoundland and Labrador, trial division, will continue as a proceeding of the Supreme Court of Newfoundland and Labrador.