Page 184 - Annuaire Statistique Québec - 1918

JUSTICE. 157

Recorder's Courl.-This is established in the principal cities. Tt is
presided by a recorder appointed by the Quebec Government and cho-
sen from amongt advocates who have practiced their profession for
at least five years. Tt punishes infringements of the police law or muni-
cipal by-laws and settles disputes between landlords and tenants, be-
tween masters and servants, etc.
District Magistrate's Court.-This court is presided by a district ma-
gistrate appointed by the Quebec Government and chosen from among
advocates who have practiced their profession fornotlessthan fiveyears.
Tt has jurisdiction in civil matters, in aIl districts, counties, cities, towns
and places in the Province where there exists a District Magistrate's
Court. Its jurisdiction is prescribed by the Code of Civil Procedure. In
penal or criminal matters the district magistrate has jurisdiction through-
out the whole extent of the Province; he has the powers, authority,
rights and privileges vested by law in one or more justices of the pence
of this Province, as wel! as those vested by law in aIl district magistrates
of this Province by any act of the P3.rliament of Canada or any law
whatsoever.
Court of King's Bench.-This is the highest court in the Province. Tt
consists of twelve judges appointed by t.he Government of Canada f nd
chosen from among advocates who have practiced their profession for
at least ten years. It has an appeIlate jurisdiction for civil as weIl as
criminal matters. The Court of King's Bench aIso hears in the first
instance criminal trials before a jury; but in such case it is presided by
a judge of the Superior Court.
Juries.-Criminal trials may be held before a jury as may also oivi1
trials, where the .'l.mount cIaimed exceeds $1,000.00, or in oommeroial
cases or in suits for damages.
In criminal matters there are two j uries: the gr~md jury and the
pettoy jury. Each of these juries consists of twelve persons chosen from
among the proprietors or tenants of immovable property in the judicial
district where the trials are held. The role of the grand jury consists in
deciding whether or not the accused person is to be tried; that of the
pett.y jury is to decide whethe-r: the accused is or is not guilty of the
offence with which he is charged.
In civil matters there is only one jury oonsisting of twelve jurymen
cho'3en from che list of jurors deposited in the Sheriff's office, residing
within a circuit of fifteen miles from the seat of the Court (art. 430 and
seq. of the Code of Civil Procedure).
Public Offtcers, etc., acting as Judgcs.-Besides the courts, certain
bodies and public officers are called upon in certain cases to discharge
judicial functioI!s, such as the Public Service Commission, the Council
of the Bar, the Board of Notaries, etc.
Federal or Imperial Courts.-Besides the provincial courts, there
are four other oourts which are competent ta take cognizance of certain
matters.
The Exchequer Court-Which has exclusive jurisdiction in the first
instance in matters between private individuals and the Government