the 20th century, replacing the former full courts of the old Supreme Courts of the provinces, some of which were then renamed courts of King's Bench. Their function is to hear appeals from decisions rendered by the trial courts and to deliver references when requested by a provincial or territorial government as the Supreme Court does for the federal government. These appellate courts do not normally conduct trials or hear witnesses. Court of Appeal of Alberta (ABCA) Court of Appeal of British Columbia (BCCA) Manitoba Court of Appeal (MBCA) Court of Appeal of New Brunswick (NBCA) Court of Appeal of Newfoundland and Labrador (NLCA) Court of Appeal for the Northwest Territories (NTCA) Nova Scotia Court of Appeal (NSCA) Nunavut Court of Appeal (NUCA) Court of Appeal for Ontario (ONCA) Prince Edward Island Court of Appeal (PECA) Quebec Court of Appeal (QCCA) Court of Appeal for Saskatchewan (SKCA) Court of Appeal of Yukon (YKCA) Each of these appellate courts is the highest court of its respective province or territory. The chief justice of each province or territory's court of appeal is styled the province or territory's chief justice. Provincial and territorial superior trial courts The superior trial courts of the provinces and territories are the courts of first instance for divorce petitions, civil lawsuits involving claims greater than small claims, and criminal prosecutions for some indictable offences. They also hear appeals from the lower trial court and perform judicial review of decisions of administrative agencies such as labour relations boards, human rights tribunals and licensing authorities. As the primary courts responsible for the interpretation of civil (provincial) law, they play a significant role in the establishment and interpretation of legal precedent. The judges sitting on these courts, like those of the appellate courts, are appointed and paid by the federal government. Court of King's Bench of Alberta (ABKB or ABQB) Court of King's Bench of Manitoba (MBKB or MBQB) Court of King's Bench for Saskatchewan (SKKB or SKQB) Court of King's Bench of New Brunswick (NBKB or NBQB) Supreme Court of British Columbia (BCSC) Supreme Court of Prince Edward Island (PESC) Supreme Court of Newfoundland and Labrador (NLSC) Supreme Court of the Northwest Territories (NTSC) Supreme Court of Nova Scotia (NSSC) Supreme Court of Yukon (YKSC) Nunavut Court of Justice (NUCJ) Court of Ontario – Superior Court of Justice (ONSC) Quebec Superior Court (QCCS) Many of these courts have specialized branches