The Territorial Court of Yukon is a lower court in the court system of the Yukon Territory of Canada. The court sits permanently in Whitehorse but also provides services in 14 other communities including Dawson City and Watson Lake.

Responsibilities

According to the official website of the government of Yukon Territory, the court deals with most criminal prosecutions under the Criminal Code of Canada and other federal statutes, as well as young offenders and offences under the laws of the Yukon Territory. It also handles bail hearings, first appearances, trials and sentencing, and has jurisdiction over both summary and indictable offences.

The Territorial Court does not deal with most matters of family law, such as divorce, custody and adoption. Its jurisdiction in civil cases is limited to C$25,000.

Composition

The court has three full-time judges and twelve deputy judges, predominantly retired judges from other jurisdictions. The Justice of the Peace Court, which is also part of the Territorial Court, consists of one full-time judge and 32 part-time Justices of the Peace, who are not legally qualified.

References

External links

• Territorial Court of Yukon website
• Territorial Court Act text