<P> Quorum of the Court requires five Justices, but most cases are heard by a panel of seven or nine Justices . The Chief Justice presides over each hearing . If the Chief Justice is not available, the senior puisne justice on the panel will preside . </P> <P> Hearings are live - streamed through the Court's website . They are also video recorded for delayed telecast in both of Canada's official languages and are often aired on CPAC . The Court's hearings are open to the public except for certain sensitive cases where a sealing order is enacted . There are three rows of benches reserved for public seating, which are generally taken on a first - come, first - served basis except where it is reserved by counsel or parties in the appeal . </P> <P> Initially, all civil and criminal cases had the right to appeal to the Supreme Court . An amendment to the Supreme Court Act in 1975 required that parties wishing to appeal must apply for "leave to appeal". The only exception is a select type of more serious criminal cases where there continues to an appeal "as of right", as well as appeals from reference questions submitted to the provincial courts of appeal by the provincial governments . The federal government also has the power to pose a reference to the Court on its own motion, as an original proceeding, without requiring leave from the Court . </P> <P> Leave applications are considered by the justices in groups of three . Only cases which raise questions of public importance are granted . The reasons for their decisions on leave applications are not given . </P>

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