Resources for media

Resources for media, such as case information and summaries, judgments, statistical reports and more.

On this page

Media contact

Email: media@scc-csc.ca

Phone: 613-996-9296

Case information

Search case information to view the status of a case and find links to factums and other relevant documents.

Media access to the Court

The Supreme Court of Canada building is open to visitors on weekdays from 9 am to 5 pm, including members of the media. Media can access the Court through the main entrance at the front of the building. Exceptionally, members of the media can enter the building earlier for a briefing or a lock-up (30 minutes prior to the start time). Those with special needs or who require ramp access (for example, if using carts) may enter via the east entrance.

All visitors to the Court are subject to security screening, including members of the media. Please plan your arrival time accordingly.

Hearings

The Supreme Court of Canada holds hearings from fall to spring. Consult the hearing schedule.

Attend in person

Members of the media can attend any hearing except when a publication ban or sealing order requires that a proceeding be held in a closed session (in camera).

A limited number of seats are set aside in the courtroom for members of the media and are equipped with desk space, power outlets and Wi-Fi access. Simultaneous interpretation is available in both official languages. Priority access to these seats will be given to members of the media who pre-register. Members of the media can also watch hearings from the press room, located on the first floor next to the courtroom. To request access, please email media@scc-csc.ca.

In the courtroom, members of the media can use:

• electronic devices (sound must be turned off)
• audio recorders

While in the courtroom, members of the media cannot:

• use photo or video cameras
• livestream the proceedings

Watch online

Most courtroom proceedings are webcast live by the Court, except when a publication ban or sealing order requires that a proceeding be held in a closed session (in camera). There are also some instances when proceedings are not livestreamed, but a video of the proceedings may be available later.

• Consult the hearing schedule to determine if a live feed is available
• View archived webcasts

Publication bans

Publication bans and other limitations on access are sometimes imposed under legislation or by the Court, for instance to protect the privacy of victims and witnesses or the identities of young offenders.

When reporting decisions of the Court, members of the media must ensure that they respect the terms of any publication ban. It is the responsibility of each member of the media to verify whether there is a publication ban or other restriction on a case. You may consider getting legal advice to determine if publication is permitted.

Judgments

Judgments on leave applications

Judgments on leave applications are typically rendered on Thursdays around 9:45 am ET.

The Court issues 2 notices on leave applications:

• an advance notice indicating when judgments will be rendered
• a notice providing the outcome once judgments have been rendered

The Court does not give reasons for its decisions on leave applications.

Judgments on appeals

An appeal judgment can be:

• pronounced orally from the bench at the end of the appeal hearing
• reserved and delivered with written reasons at a later date

Clips of oral judgments can be watched on the Court’s website. In some instances, a decision from the bench will be issued with written reasons to follow at a later date. When a reserved judgment is delivered, the parties are notified and the formal judgment is deposited with the Registrar with all the written reasons.

Publishing appeal judgments

The Court issues 2 notices on judgments:

• an advance notice indicating when judgments will be rendered
• a notice indicating that the judgments have been rendered

Notices are posted on the Court’s website and distributed to the Court’s distribution list, which includes the Canadian Parliamentary Press Gallery.

You can find the reasons for judgment on the Court’s website along with a plain language summary called Case in Brief. All reasons for judgment are provided in English and in French.

The official version of each judgment is published in the Canada Supreme Court Reports. You can also request printed versions of Court records.

Media briefings and lock-ups

Pre-session briefings

The Court hosts a media briefing at the beginning of each new session to inform journalists of the cases and issues on appeal in that session.

Briefings on decisions

Whenever the Court issues reasons for decision on an appeal, a briefing is held for members of the media. Briefings are hosted by the Deputy Executive Legal Officer of the Court or their designate. Briefings are conducted in person and by videoconference simultaneously. Information on registration is provided in the notice.

Briefings are not held on oral decisions rendered without reasons.

Briefings are held in the Court’s press room on the morning the decision is released. Printed copies of reasons are distributed at the briefing and electronic versions are available on the Court’s website. Copies of the factums (memoranda of argument) of the parties and interveners are also available on the Court’s website.

Lock-ups

The Court can, at its discretion, hold lock-ups for media and counsel immediately before the release of its judgments. The purpose of lock-ups is to facilitate timely, accurate and informed reporting of the Court’s judgments. For more information, see the Court’s Judgment lock-up procedure and the related Notice to the profession.

Members of the media can access the Court building using the front doors 30 minutes before all briefings and lock-ups.

Notices of briefings and lock-ups

Notices are distributed to the Court’s distribution list, which includes the Canadian Parliamentary Press Gallery.

Reports and statistics

Year in Review

Read the Court’s annual report, also called the Year in Review.

Statistical summary

In 2019, the Court began publishing statistics as part of its annual Year in Review. However, for ease of reference, the Court continues to publish a separate statistical summary.

Filming permissions

Filming on the exterior grounds is permitted provided that access to the Supreme Court building is not obstructed and filming does not interfere with the work of the Court. Note that parking is limited in the area surrounding the Court.

Members of the media can use the grand entrance hall during regular business hours for interviews and filming related to the Court’s proceedings.

Cordless devices (for example, smartphones and shoulder-operated cameras) can be used to film anywhere in the grand entrance hall provided that it does not interfere with the work of the Court or the use of the space by visitors or others. Prior authorization is not required to film in the grand entrance hall, but media should advise the Court of their plans in advance.

On hearing and decision days, a space in the grand entrance hall will be designated where microphone stands, tripods, lighting towers or other special equipment can be set up safely. If crowds are present or expected in the grand entrance hall, the Court may designate or cordon off a space for media for safety reasons.

For any other filming requests, email media@scc-csc.ca.

Cases in Brief

In order to help the public understand the issues and outcomes of Court decisions, plain-language summaries, called Cases in Brief, are published for every judgment. They are prepared by the Supreme Court of Canada’s communications staff. They are not part of the Court’s reasons for judgment and are not for use in legal proceedings.

Reproduction of Cases in Brief

Newspapers can republish Cases in Brief if they follow these guidelines:

• Ensure the Case in Brief is published in full, with no edits.
• Identify the article in its print or online publication as a “Supreme Court Case in Brief” and include the case name as part of the title or subtitle, such as R. v. ABC Corporation.
• Include the following text: “Cases in Brief are prepared by the communications team at the Supreme Court of Canada. You may read the entire judgment at www.scc-csc.ca.”

For additional information, email media@scc-csc.ca.

Request to use photographs, webcasts or recordings

To request permission to use a photograph found on the Supreme Court of Canada’s website, a webcast or a recording of a hearing of the Court, submit a Media use request form.