Ten courts across BC
Court locations and dates
There are ten Indigenous sentencing courts in BC. Each one has its own schedule, and some do not sit in a courthouse at all.
Sitting dates change. The Provincial Court posts the current schedule for every court, and its pages are always right. Check the Provincial Court's court locations pages before you go anywhere.
| Court | City | How often it sits | Registry phone |
|---|---|---|---|
| New Westminster First Nations Court (opened 2006) | New Westminster | Monthly, usually 2 to 3 days in a row | 604-660-8521 |
| Chet wa nexwníw̓ ta S7eḵw’í7tel Indigenous Court (opened 2012) | North Vancouver | Monthly, some months twice | 604-981-0200 |
| Cknu'cwentn First Nations Sentencing Court (opened 2013) | Kamloops | Monthly | 250-828-4344 |
| Duncan First Nations Court (opened 2013) | Duncan | About twice a month | 250-746-1258 |
| Nicola Valley Indigenous Court (opened 2017) | Merritt | Every other month | 250-828-4344 |
| Prince George Indigenous Court (opened 2018) | Prince George | Monthly | 250-614-2700 |
| Williams Lake Indigenous Court (opened 2020) | Williams Lake | Monthly | 250-398-4301 |
| Hazelton Indigenous Court (opened 2021) | Hazelton | About monthly | 250-847-7376 |
| Lillooet Indigenous Court (opened 2023) | Lillooet | Every other month | 250-828-4344 |
| Chilliwack Indigenous Court (opened 2025) | Chilliwack | Monthly | 604-795-8350 |
Some courthouses are unstaffed, so their phones are answered elsewhere. The Kamloops registry answers for Merritt and Lillooet, and the Smithers registry answers for Hazelton.
What some of the names mean
Several courts carry names in the language of the Nations they serve. Legal Aid BC translates the North Vancouver court's name, Chet wa nexwníw̓ ta S7eḵw’í7tel, as "we are giving family good advice". It translates the Kamloops court's name as "the place where help is given". The Lillooet court, which also covers the Lytton area, was developed by people from the St’at’imc and Nlaka’pamux Nations.
The newest court
The Chilliwack Indigenous Court held its first sitting on December 11, 2025. It serves the Stó:lō people in S’ólh Téméxw, which is Stó:lō territory, and it runs as a pilot until March 2027.
Two courts that do not sit in a courthouse
The New Westminster court alternates between two places: the Hyack Room at the Inn at the Quay hotel, and the Law Courts at 651 Carnarvon Street. The court's own schedule marks each sitting "Hyack" or "NWLC" so you know where to go.
The room at the Inn looks out over the water, and it can feel less intimidating than a courtroom.
In Duncan, court sits at the Si'em Lelum Gymnasium at 5574 River Road.
If you are not sure where to go
Ask your lawyer, your courtworker, or the registry. Registry counters at staffed courthouses are open Monday to Friday, 9 am to 4 pm, except statutory holidays.