The Provincial Court of Newfoundland and Labrador is the legal and constitutional institution responsible for delivering front line judicial services throughout the province. Its existence is authorized by section 92 of the Canadian Constitution Act, 1867, but its inception predates that time by about 140 years.
The Provincial Court is just one constituent part of a broad legal and judicial system in Canada. It is, however, a very important component in that it is the only court with which most persons in the province are ever likely to come into direct contact. Statistics are subject to interpretation, but the Provincial Court certainly handles the majority of cases requiring judicial intervention.