Page 183 - Annuaire Statistique Québec - 1918

D-JUSTlCE.

JUDICIAL ORGANIZATION
The administration of justice lies with the Department of the
Attorney-General. The judges are appointed by the Executive; those
of the Superior Court by the Government of Canada and those of the
lower courts by the Governmcnt of Quebec. The Province is divided
into twenty-five clistricts fol' judicial purposes.
There are three kinds of coùrts: those of civil jurisdiction, those of
criminal jurisdiction and those of rnixed j urisdiction: 1. the Commis-
sioneJs' Courts; 2. the Circuit Court; 3. the Superior Court; 4. the
Court of Sessions of the Pes,ce; 5. the Police Court; 6. the Court of
Justi,ces cf the Peace; 7. the Recorder's Court; 8. the District Magis-
trate's Court; 9. the Court of King's Bench. '
Commissioner!)' Courl.-This court consists of persons appointed by
the Quebec Government. It has power to j u.ige suits for the recovery
of surns not exceeding $39.00 and resulting from contracts, quasi-con-
tracts, assessments for the building or repairing of (;hurches, ceme-
teries or presbyteries.
Circuit Court.-This court lS presided by a judge of the SUDerior
Court, except in the district of Montreal, where it is presided by special
judges appointed by the Governrnent of Canada. Thc Circuit Court is
held at the chief·town of the districts or counties.
Superior Court.-This court is presided by l) judge appointed by the
Government of Canada and chosen from among lawyers who have prac-
ticed theirprofessionfor notless th':\.n ten years.Itsits in the Clhief-town
of each judicial district. It has jurisdiction in the first instance in connec-
tion wi th aIl suits not exclusively within the jurisdiction of the other
civil courts. AlI the courts and magistrates of the Province, with the
exception of the Court of King's Bench and its judges, are subject to
the dupervision and confirol of the Superior COUl't.
Court of Sessions of the Peace.-This court is presided by a judge of
the Sessions of the Peace, appointfd by the Quebec Government and
chosen from among advocates who havepracticed their professiondul'ing
at Jeast five years. ItsjurisdietionextendsthroughoutthewholeProvince.
It deals with infringements of the criminal or penal laws.
Police Court.-This court does not actually exist. The Govern-
ment is empowered to appoint Police Magistrates but ther.e are none at
present.
Court of the Justices of the Peace.-The Justices of the Peace are
appointed by the Quebee Government and chosen from among owners
of immovable property. They act as j udges only when ealled upon
to do so. Their power extends chiefly to police cases. They have juris-
diction also in certain civil matters, such as the reeovery of school taxes,
the taxes for building and repairing of churches, cemeteries or pre'3-
byteries, damages done by farm animals, servants' wages, etc.