About the Court

Judges of the Court

About the Judges

The Supreme Court consists of the Chief Justice of Canada and eight puisne judges appointed by the Governor in Council from among superior court judges or from among barristers of at least ten years’ standing at the Bar of a province or territory. The word “puisne” is an ancient french word meaning younger. This term, used by the Supreme Court, distinguishes the Chief Justice from the other judges. The Chief Justice is sworn as a member of the Privy Council of Canada prior to taking the oath of office as Chief Justice.

The judges must devote themselves exclusively to their judicial duties. No judge may hold any other remunerative office under the federal or provincial government, nor engage in any business enterprise. They must reside in the National Capital Region or within 40 kilometres thereof. A judge holds office during good behaviour, until he or she retires or attains the age of 75 years, but is removable for incapacity or misconduct in office before that time by the Governor General on address of the Senate and House of Commons.

The Chief Justice presides at all sittings of the Court at which he or she is present. The Chief Justice divides the work of the Court by choosing the panels of judges to hear the cases and motions brought before it.

The Chief Justice is chairperson of the Canadian Judicial Council. The Judicial Council is made up of 39 members who are the chief justices, associate chief justices, and some senior judges from territorial and federal superior courts across Canada. This body, established by the Judges Act, has a mandate to promote efficiency, uniformity and accountability, and to improve the quality of judicial service in all superior courts of Canada.

The Chief Justice also chairs the Board of Governors of the National Judicial Institute. The National Judicial Institute develops and delivers educational programs for all of Canada’s federal, provincial and territorial judges.

The letters patent of 1947 respecting the office of Governor General provide that, should the Governor General die, become incapacitated or be absent from the country for a period of more than one month, the Chief Justice or, if that office is vacant, the senior puisne judge of the Supreme Court, would become the Administrator of Canada and exercise all the powers and duties of the Governor General.

The Chief Justice of Canada also chairs the committee which advises the Governor General on awards of membership in the Order of Canada.

Finally, the Chief Justice and the other judges of the Court serve as deputies of the Governor General for the purpose of giving royal assent to bills passed by Parliament, signing official documents or receiving credentials of newly appointed High Commissioners and Ambassadors.