www.manitobacourts.mb.ca

About the Provincial Court

The Provincial Court of Manitoba is established by The Provincial Court Act. It is a court of record and has primarily a criminal jurisdiction, as well as limited concurrent jurisdiction with the Court of King’s Bench in family law matters that originate outside the City of Winnipeg. More than ninety-five percent of all criminal cases in Manitoba commence in the Provincial Court.

After an individual is charged, the Provincial Court hears applications for judicial interim release (bail), presides over intake (first appearance) courts, screening (resolution) courts, preliminary inquiries (to determine whether there is sufficient evidence to order an accused to stand trial), and various types of trial courts. The Provincial Court also hears all Youth Court cases in the Province of Manitoba.

In addition to cases under the Criminal Code and the Youth Criminal Justice Act, the Provincial Court hears cases under a variety of other federal statutes, such as: the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act, and hears all provincial statute cases, such as those under The Highway Traffic Act and The Liquor Control Act. The Court also presides over inquests under The Fatality Inquiries Act, and reviews alleged police misconduct under The Law Enforcement Review Act.

Provincial Court Judges are appointed by Order-in-Council of the Province of Manitoba upon the recommendation of a Judicial Nominating Committee comprised of the Chief Judge, three citizens appointed by the Government, the President of The Law Society, the President of the Manitoba Bar Association, and a representative of the Provincial Court judges.

Information on this page last updated on March 8, 2024