About the Nunavut Court of Justice
Annual Reports
Hours & Location
What does it mean to be a Unified Court?
What is Circuit Court?
Justices of the Peace
Annual Reports
2008 2007 2006 2005 2004 2003 2002 2001
Hours and location
We are located in the Nunavut Justice Centre (Building #510) in Iqaluit. The Centre is open Monday through Friday, from 8:30 am - 5:00 pm. The Court Registry is open for filing Monday through Friday, from 9:00 am - 12:00 pm and from 1:00 pm - 4:00 pm.
| Telephone: | 867-975-6100 |
| Toll Free: | 1-866-286-0546 | Fax:
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867-975-6168
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| Address:
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Nunavut Court of Justice P.O. Box 297 Iqaluit, Nunavut X0A 0H0 |
What does it mean to be a Unified Court?
The Nunavut Court of Justice is new in more than just a name. It is Canada's first, and only, single level court, which came into existence in Nunavut on April 1, 1999. This initiative evolved over several years through a widely consultative process in which sweeping federal and territorial legislative amendments were required.
Prior to April 1, 1999 we had the Territorial Court and also the NWT Supreme Court. The Supreme Court had more power or jurisdiction to hear cases than the Territorial Court. But now, in Nunavut, the jurisdiction or power of the two Courts has been brought together under one "judicial roof". In our large territory it makes sense that one Court has the power to handle any type of case.
The legal authority for the Nunavut Court of Justice is as follows:
Federal:
An Act to amend the Nunavut Act with respect to the Nunavut Court of Justice and to amend other Acts in consequence, S.C. 1999, c. 3.
This act conveys to the Nunavut Court of Justice all of the powers, duties and functions formerly exercised by Northwest Territories courts, judges and justices, with the exception of the territorial Court of Appeal. The amendments also address appeals, bail, elections, preliminary inquiries, statutory review, and young offenders' proceedings in the Nunavut Court of Justice.
Territorial:
The Nunavut Judicial System Implementation Act, S.N.W.T. 1998, c. 34.
This enacts a new Judicature Act and a new Justices of the Peace Act for Nunavut and repeals the Territorial Court Act effective April 1, 1999. It establishes the composition, powers and officers of the Nunavut Court of Justice and Court of Appeal and designates Youth Courts for Nunavut. This Act also states certain rules of law and procedure for Nunavut cases.
What is Circuit Court?
The Nunavut Court of Justice covers the entire territory of Nunavut with respect to the provision of court services. As such, the Court travels to approximately 85% of the communities across the territory. The Court does not travel to the smaller communities, (those which do not have RCMP detachments) where very little crime is reported.
The Court travels to these communities every 6 weeks to 2 years, depending on the number of charges coming into court from that community. On average, the Nunavut Court of Justice has 2 – 3 court sittings per week each year, with at least one traveling court circuit and one court sitting in Iqaluit. Typically, the court will travel Monday to Friday by scheduled flight or charter, with up to 3 community visits in one week.
Members of the circuit court include a Judge, clerk, court reporter, prosecutor and at least one defence attorney. Court workers and victim witness assistants might also travel with the circuit court depending on the cases to be heard. Interpreters are hired in the communities when possible but travel with the circuit court when necessary.
Court is held in community halls, school gyms, and in other conference facilities as available. All court proceedings in the communities are interpreted for the public. Elders and Justices of the Peace (JPs) sit with the Judge in the courtroom and are given the opportunity to speak with the accused following sentencing submissions and prior to the passing of sentence.
Court Schedules
Justices of the Peace