The Court of Appeal is the highest court in this province; it hears appeals in criminal and civil matters. It hears appeals from the Court of King's Bench, Probate Court, Provincial Court (indictable offences) and various administrative tribunals, for example, the appeals tribunal under the Workplace Health, Safety and Compensation Commission Act. The court sits in Fredericton, although it may sit elsewhere if the Chief Justice of New Brunswick so directs.
The Court of King’s Bench hears all matters within the domain of family law. The Court of King’s Bench also has original jurisdiction in major civil and criminal cases. In addition, it has appellate jurisdiction over summary conviction offences from the Provincial Court. The Court of King’s Bench is divided into two divisions:
The Probate Court deals with matters involving wills and estates of deceased persons. Judges from the Court of King's Bench preside over the Probate Court.
This court is the entry point for all persons charged with offences under the Criminal Code or other federal or provincial legislation. The Provincial Court has jurisdiction over almost all criminal matters involving both youth and adults. Even in cases where the accused chooses to be tried by the Court of King’s Bench, the Provincial Court still may be required to hold a hearing to determine whether the accused is to be detained in custody, or to hold a Preliminary Inquiry to determine whether the accused is to stand trial.