The Supreme Court is the highest court in the land. It is the final court of appeal at the top of Canada’s justice system.

The Supreme Court considers civil, criminal and constitutional cases, but normally only after the cases have been heard in appropriate federal and provincial or territorial courts.

Nine judges make up the Supreme Court. They are led by the Chief Justice. All Supreme Court Justices are appointed by the Governor General on the recommendation of the Prime Minister. The Act that created the Supreme Court in 1875 stated that three of the judges must come from the Quebec Bar. By tradition, three other judges come from Ontario, two from Western Canada and one from the Atlantic provinces. Supreme Court judges can hold office until they are 75.

Any Canadian may have their case heard by the Supreme Court. But first, permission, or "leave" must be granted from the court. Leave is granted for cases that involve a matter of public importance, a significant question of law, or a law or fact concerning Canada’s Constitution.

The Supreme Court sits for three sessions a year, lasting about three months each. During that time, it considers between 500 and 600 applications to hear cases and hears up to 120 cases. Decisions by the court are decided by majority.

The Supreme Court’s hearings are public.

To find out more about the Supreme Court visit: http://www.scc-csc.gc.ca