Court Updates
15 July 2021
- Chief Judge Gillespie has released the following updates:
30 June 2021
- Chief Judge Gillespie has released the following updates:
- ACC-1 Access to Court Proceedings (effective 30 June)
- NP 19 Court Operations during COVID-19 and NP 22 In-Person Proceedings During COVID-19: Health and Safety Protocols (effective 2 July)
- NP 21 VIrtual Proceedings in the Provincial Court (effective 2 July)
- In response to changing pandemic consditions and public feedback, the Court of Appeal has made changes in its COVID-19 Notices:
- Chief Justice Hinkson has revised Part IV of COVID-19 Notice No. 27 with respect to the use of masks inside courthouses and courtrooms
- COVID-19 Order No. 008 states that COVID-19 Orders remain in effect until further order by the Chief Justice or Associate Chief Justice
7 June 2021
4 June 2021
- Chief Judge Gillespie has issued the following updates:
- CRIM 03 Practice Direction (effective 14 June 2021)
- NP 19 Court Operations During COVID-19
- ACC-2 Access to Court Records Policy
19 May 2021
- The policy set out by Court of Appeal, the Supreme Court and the Provincial Court of British Columbia on Use of Electronic Devices in Courtrooms confirms that an electronic device may not be used in a courtroom to digitally transcribe a proceeding, and has been amended to clarify that this includes making a transcript using video conference software.
17 May 2021
- In order to be consistent with the new Provincal Court Family Rules taking effect 17 May 2021, Chief Judge Gillespie has issued new and revised practice directions and notices to the Profession and Public:
- FAM 10 Electronic Signatures on Family Forms and Orders (NEW)
- FAM 02 Searching Registry File (REVISED)
- FAM 03 Scheduling of Continuations (REVISED)
- FAM 04 Procedural Protocol = Return Applications Under the 1980 Hague Convention (REVISED)
- FAM 05 Guardianship Applications When There is an Existing Order (REVISED)
- FAM 06 After-Hours Emergency Family Applications (REVISED)
- FAM09 Consent Adjourment (FLA FMEA) (REVISED)
- GEN 01 Fax Filing Regustries - Family and Samll Claims (REVISED)
- GEN 04 Subpoenas Requireing Opposing Counsel to Give Evidence (REVISED)
- NP 11 Use of Support Person in CIvil and Family Proceedings (REVISED)
- NP14 Assignment of Duties to Court Services Justices of the Peace (REVISED)
- NP 19 Court Operations During COVID 19 (REVISED)
- Access to Court Records (REVISED)
- FAM 01 Mandatory Parenting after Separation (EXPIRED 17 May 2021)
3 May 2021
- What you need to know about the new Provincial Court Family Law Rules taking effect 17 May 2021
15 April 2021
- Chief Judge Gillespie has issued two NEW practice directions effective 19 April and other updates:
- CRIM 14 Practice Direction Northern Bail Pilot Project
- SM CL 02 Practice Direction Small Claims Proceedings During COVID-19
- Memo re: Updated Directions re Judicial Authorizations at Justice Centre
- AMENDED: NP 19 Court Operations During COVID-19
- AMENDED: CPD-1 CCFM Practice Direction
- AMENDED: CRIM 08 Criminal Caseflow Management Rules Forms and Procedure
- AMENDED: CRIM 05 Practice Direction Hearing of Bail Applications
12 April 2021
- Chief Justice Hinkson issued two revised notices:
9 April 2021
- Criminal e-filing and online booking of appeals will take effect on 12 April 2021. Read about the revisions and changes here.
31 March 2021
- Court of Appeal for British Columbia 2020 Annual Report
- Supreme Court of British Columbia 2020 Annual Report
- Provincial Court of British Columbia 2019/2020 Annual Report
2 March 2021
1 March 2021
- Chief Justice Hinkson issued two new family practice directions:
- Revised NP 19 Court Operations during COVID-19 issued by Chief Judge Gillespie
26 February 2021
- The new amendments to the Divorce Act take effect on 1 March 2021. Some changes to Supreme Court Family Rules and Forms will also take effect 1 March
- COVID-19 Notice No. 42 - Chambers Application by Telephone and Microsoft Teams - No Late Additions to Application Records issued by the Supreme Court of BC
16 February 2021
- The following updates have been issued by Chief Judge Gillespie:
3 February 2021
- Abbotsford Law Courts Virtual Court Opening will be livestreamed Thursday, February 4 at 12:30 pm
- Notice to the Profession, Public and Media: Grace Period to February 26, 2021 for Registry Acceptance of Former Supreme Court Family Forms issued by Chief Justice Hinkson
2 February 2021
- The following updates have been issued by Chief Judge Gillespie:
29 January 2021
- A Statement from the Office of the Provincial Health Officer related to COVID-19 outbreaks at three Correctional Centres
- The following updates have been issued by Chief Judge Gillespie:
21 January 2021
- Protocol for Communication and Testing related to COVID-19 in Courthouses jointly issued by Chief Justice Bauman, Chief Justice HInkson and Chief Judge Gillespie
16 December 2020
- NEW Notice to the Profession and Public - NP 24 Form of Address for Parties and Lawyers issued by Chief Judge Gillespie
4 December 2020
- Updated NP 19 Court Operations during COVID-19 (effective Monday 7 December) issued by Chief Judge Gillespie
- Updated FAM 08 - Change or Suspend Child or Spousal Support due to COVID-19 (effective Monday 7 December) issued by Chief Judge Gillespie
- Revised Access to Court Records Policy issued by Chief Judge Gillespie
30 November 2020
- Announcement: Surrey and Abbotsford Courthouses are Open issued by Chief Judge Gillespie
25 November 2020
- Revised NP 22 Notice to the Profession and the Public: In-Person Proceedings during COVID-19: Health and Safety Protocols issued by Chief Judge Gillespie - update on the requirement of wearing face masks
- Updated BC Courts' Announcement - Face Masks in British Columbia Courthouses jointly issued by Chief Justice Bauman, Chief Justice HInkson and Chief Judge Gillespie
9 November 2020
- Appeal Hearings to proceed by videoconference directed by Chief Justice Bauman
- Revised NP 22 Notice to the Profession and the Public: In-Person Proceedings during COVID-19: Health and Safety Protocols issued by Chief Judge Gillespie
- NEW Announcement - Face Masks in British Columbia Courthouses jointly issued by Chief Justice Bauman, Chief Justice HInkson and Chief Judge Gillespie
16 October 2020
- Revised NP 22 Notice to the Profession and the Public: Resuming In-Person Proceedings during COVID-19: Health and Safety Protocols issued by Chief Judge Gillespie
- Revised Access to Court Proceedings Policy issued by Chief Judge Gillespie
14 October 2020
- COVID-19 Notice No. 42 - Chambers Application by telephone and Microsoft Teams issued by the Supreme Court of BC
10 October 2020
- Revised Notice to the Profession and the Public NP 19: Resumption of Court Operations issued by Chief Judge Gillespie
8 October 2020
- Revisions to COVID-19 Notice No. 27 - In-Court Measures During the Pandemic issued by the Supreme Court of BC
7 October 2020
- The following updates have been issued by Chief Judge Gillespie:
28 September 2020
- The following updates have been issued by Chief Judge Gillespie:
15 September 2020
- Revised Notice to the Profession and the Public NP22: Resuming in-Person Proceedings during COVID-19; Health & Safety Protocols issued by Chief Judge Gillespie
1 September 2020
- Revisions to COVID-19 Notice No. 27 - In-Court Measures During the Pandemic issued by the Supreme Court of BC
19 August 2020
- Updated Notice to the Public - Suspension of service and filing deadlines extended from 19 August to 14 September (no further extension to be issued) issued by the Chief Justice of British Columbia
- Updated Notice to the Profession and Public regarding Circuit Court Sittings During COVID-19 (NP 23) issued by Chief Judge Gillespie
29 July 2020
- Revised Notice to the Profession and Public re COVID-19: Resumption of Court Operations (NP19) issued by Chief Judge Gillespie
27 July 2020
- COVID-19 - Notice No. 40 - Resumption of Trial Management Conferences and Trials - Civil and Family Matters issued by the Supreme Court of BC
24 July 2020
- BC Weekly Public Affairs Update (Earnscliffe)
22 July 2020
- Updated Notice to the Public - Service and Filing Deadlines Further Suspended from 27 July to 5 August 2020 issued by the Chief Justice of British Columbia
- Revised Practice Direction: FAM 09 Consent Adjournment (FLA_FMEA) issued by Chief Judge Gillespie
20 July 2020
- Revisions to COVID-19 - Notice No. 14 - Applications by Written Submissions issued by the Supreme Court of BC
17 July 2020
- BC Weekly Public Affairs Update (Earnscliffe)
- COVID-19 - Notice No. 38 - Criminal Jury Trials Resuming September 8, 2020 issued by the Supreme Court of BC
- COVID-19 - Notice No. 39 - Civil Jury Selections and Trials issued by the Supreme Court of BC
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See the following updated Notices and Practice Directions issued by Chief Judge Gillespie:
16 July 2020
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See the following updated Notices and Practice Directions issued by Chief Judge Gillespie:
- New Practice Direction: FAM 09 Consent Adjournment (FLA_FMEA)
- Revised Practice Direction: FAM 07 CFCSA Consent Requisitions (updated to remove reference to “non-urgent”)
13 July 2020
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COVID-19 Notice No. 32 - Resumption of Further Court Operations - Registrar Hearings issued by the Supreme Court of BC
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See the following updated Notices and Practice Directions issued by Chief Judge Gillespie:
- Updates to Revised Notice to Profession and the Public NP 19 - COVID-19: Resumption of Court Operations
- Notice to the Profession and the Public NP 22: Resuming In-Person Proceedings During COVID-19: Health & Safety Protocols (July 13, 2020)
- Notice to the Profession and the Public NP 21 - Guide to Remote Proceedings (telephone and video)
- Notice to the Profession and the Public NP 14 – Court Services Justices of the Peace Assignment of Duties
- Notice to Accredited Media NM 01 - Media Access to Court Proceedings during the COVID-19 Pandemic
- Revisions to COVID-19 Notice No. 14 (Applications by Written Submissions) and COVID-19 Notice No. 28 (Chambers Application by Telephone) issued by the Chief Justice of British Columbia
- COVID-19 - Notice No. 36 - Case Planning Conferences issued by the Supreme Court of BC
- Revised COVID-19 Notice No. 34 - Expansion of Court Operations - In-Person Registry Services issued by the Supreme Court of BC
10 July 2020
- BC Weekly Public Affairs Update (Earnscliffe)
8 July 2020
- Update to Provincial Court Registry Services issued by Chief Judge Gillespie
- Economic Update (Earnscliffe)
7 July 2020
- COVID-19 Notice No. 33 - Expansion of Court Operations issued by the Supreme Court of BC
- COVID-19 Notice No. 34 - Expansion of Court Operations - In-Person Registry Services issued by the Supreme Court of BC
- COVID-19 Notice No. 35 - Expansion of Court Operation - Remote Video Conference Hearings issued by the Supreme Court of BC
3 July 2020
- Circuit Courts Update issued by Chief Judge Gillespie
- BC Weekly Public Affairs Update (Earnscliffe)
2 July 2020
- COVID-19 Notice No. 30 - Criminal Proceedings - Applications Under s. 490 of the Criminal Code (Further Detention of Things Seized) issued by the Supreme Court of BC
- COVID-19 Notice No. 29 - Criminal Proceedings - COVID Pre-Trial Conferences (CV-PTC) issued by the Supreme Court of BC
- See the following Notices and Practice Directions issued by Chief Judge Gillespie:
- Revised Notice to the Profession and Public – COVID 19: Resumption of Further Court Operations (NP 19)
- New Practice Direction - Early Resolution Process and Expedited Court Process to Change or Suspend Child or Spousal Support due to COVID-19 (FAM 08)
- Revised Practice Direction – Criminal Pre-trial Conferences during COVID-19 (CRIM 12)
26 June 2020
- BC Weekly Public Affairs Update (Earnscliffe)
24 June 2020
- Updated Notice to the Public regarding the suspension of service and filing deadlines for existing appeals and chambers applications issued by the Chief Justice of British Columbia
22 June 2020
- BC Provincial Court Announcement - Update on Resuming Traffic Court in Some Locations
19 June 2020
- BC COVID-19 Update (Earnscliffe)
- BC Weekly Public Affairs Update (Earnscliffe)
12 June 2020
- See the following Notices and Practice Directions issued by Chief Judge Gillespie:
· Revised Notice to the Profession and Public – COVID 19: Resumption of Further Court Operations (NP 19)
· Revised Practice Direction – Criminal Pre-trial Conferences during COVID-19 (CRIM 12)
· Practice Direction – Initial Appearance Court during COVID-19 (CRIM 13)
· Revised CCFM Rules – Simplified Front End Process (2013) Forms and Procedure (CRIM 08)
· Revised Practice Direction – CCFM Rules Simplified Front End Criminal Process (2013) (CPD 1)
- BC Public Affairs Update (Earnscliffe)
- BC Weekly Update (Earnscliffe)
10 June 2020
- See the Notice to the Profession: COVID-19 Update issued by the Law Society of BC
8 June 2020
- COVID-19 Government policies update - $14 Billion Federal offer to provinces and territories, the curve is flattening, United States of America update, 290 000 jobs in May... Click to read. (Earnscliffe)
5 June 2020
- Notice to the Profession and Public NP22: Resuming In-Person Proceedings During COVID-19: Health & Safety Protocols issued by Chief Judge Gillespie of the Provincial Court of BC
- BC Weekly Update (Earnscliffe)
29 May 2020
- Announcement – Update on traffic, ticket or bylaw matters in BC Provincial Court
- BC Weekly Update (Earnscliffe)
- This week in review (Earnscliffe)
28 May 2020
- Government working to support in-person court appearances. Read more...
27 May 2020
- Updated Notice to the Public Regarding the Court of Appeal's Response to COVID-19 - Further Suspension of Service and Filing Deadlines issued by the Supreme Court of BC
- See the Notice to the Profession: COVID-19 Update issued by the Law Society of BC
26 May 2020
- COVID-19 Notice 24: Filing of Affadavits of Service and Delivery - Civil and Family Matters issued by the Supreme Court of BC
- Announcement - Update on in-person and remote proceedings in BC Provincial Court.
22 May 2020
- UPDATED: COVID-19 Notice 20: Civil and Family Proceedings - Resumption of Trial Management Conferences and Trials issued by the Supreme Court of BC
- UPDATED: COVID-19 Notice 19: Civil and Family Proceedings -Resumption of Some Court Operations - Civil and Family Matters issued by the Supreme Court of BC
- This week in review (Earnscliffe)
- See the Notice to the Profession: COVID-19 Update issued by the Law Society of BC
21 May 2020
- BC COVID-19 News Updates (Earnscliffe)
20 May 2020
- Remote execution of legal documents allowed during pandemic. Read more...
19 May 2020
- See the Notice to the Profession: COVID-19 Update issued by the Law Society of BC
- As provided in COVID-19 Notice No. 20 – Resumption of Trial Management Conferences and Trials - Civil and Family Matters, JMCs can now be booked online here - issued by the Superior Courts of BC.
- BC COVID-19 News Updates (Earnscliffe)
- Read a message from the Chief Judge of the Provincial Court
17 May 2020
- What to expect in a family or small claims conference held by telephone or video - provided by the Provincial Court of BC.
15 May 2020
- Starting 15 May, the Court of Appeal Weekly Hearing List will include links to observe live video conference appeal hearings.
- As provided in COVID-19 Notice No. 20 – Resumption of Trial Management Conferences and Trials - Civil and Family Matters, TMCs can now be booked online here.
- BC COVID-19 News Updates (Earnscliffe)
- Government policies update - extension of the wage subsidy program, liquidity program for large businesses, regional recovery program... Click to read. (Earnscliffe)
- British Columbia Weekly Update (Earnscliffe)
14 May 2020
- Starting 15 May, the Court of Appeal Weekly Hearing List will include links to observe live video conference appeal hearings.
- COVID-19 Notice 21: Resumption of Some Regular Court Operations - Criminal Proceedings issued by the Court of Appeal for BC
- Impacts of COVID-19 on ICBC
- BC COVID-19 News Updates (Earnscliffe)
13 May 2020
- COVID-19 Notice 20: Civil and Family Proceedings - Resumption of Trial Management Conferences and Trials issued by the Supreme Court of BC
- COVID-19 Notice 19: Notice to the Profession, the Public and the Media Regarding Civil and Family Proceedings - Resumption of Some Court Operations issued by the Supreme Court of BC
- BC COVID-19 News Updates (Earnscliffe)
12 May 2020
- BC COVID-19 News Updates (Earnscliffe)
11 May 2020
- COVID-19 Notice 18: Notice to the Profession, Public and Media Regarding Criminal Proceedings - Suspension of Regular Supreme Court Operations issued by the Supreme Court of BC
- Large Employer Emergency Financing Facility (LEEFF) Package (Earnscliffe)
- See the Notice to the Profession: COVID-19 Update issued by the Law Society of BC
- Emerging Economy Task Force Report & Putting Innovation to Work for BC (Report by Alan Winter) (Earnscliffe)
10 May 2020
- See the Notice to the Profession: COVID-19 Update: Commencing Recovery of some Court Operations (NP 19) issued by the Provincial Court of BC
8 May 2020
- BC COVID-19 News Updates (Earnscliffe)
- See the Notice to the Profession: COVID-19 Update issued by the Law Society of BC
- Weekly Update - including The Current State of Play (Earnscliffe)
7 May 2020
- Notice to the Media Regarding Access to Court Proceedings issued by the Supreme Court of BC
- BC COVID-19 News Updates (Earnscliffe)
- Release of BC's Restart Plan (Earnscliffe)
6 May 2020
- Notice to the Profession and the Public - Guide to Remote Proceedings issued by the Provincial Court of BC
- See the Notice to the Profession: COVID-19 Update issued by the Law Society of BC
- As provided in COVID-19 Notice 14: Application by Written Submissions issued by the Supreme Court of BC, booking for applications by written submissions can only be done with this online booking form.
5 May 2020
- Notice to the Profession, the Public and the Media Regarding Civil Proceedings - Insolvency COVID-19: Suspension of Regular Court Operations issued by the Supreme Court of BC
- Notice Regarding Criminal Proceedings COVID-19: COVID Pre-Trial Conferences issued by the Supreme Court of BC
4 May 2020
- See the Notice to the Profession: COVID-19 Update issued by the Law Society of BC
- BC COVID-19 News Updates (Earnscliffe)
1 May 2020
- The CRT Rules have been revised effective May 1, 2020. A table of changes tracking the amendments can be found on the CRT’s website here.
- See the Notice to the Profession: COVID-19 Update issued by the Law Society of BC
- Provinces Present Divergent Frameworks for Reopening (Earnscliffe)
30 April 2020
- Read a message from the Chief Judge of the Supreme Court of British Columbia
- BC COVID-19 News Updates (Earnscliffe)
29 April 2020
- Notices to the Profession issued by the Court of Appeal for British Columbia
- See the Notice to the Profession: COVID-19 Update issued by the Law Society of BC
- BC COVID-19 News Updates (Earnscliffe)
28 April 2020
- Recovery of some Provincial Court of BC operations
- BC COVID-19 News Updates (Earnscliffe)
- Notice to the Profession - Expansion of Civil and Family Matters - Applications by Written Submissions issued by the Supreme Court of BC. For details about bringing an application by written submissions, click here
27 April 2020
- See the Notice to the Profession: COVID-19 Update issued by the Law Society of BC
26 April 2020
- Notice to the Profession, the Public and the Media Regarding Civil and Family Proceedings - COVID-19: Expansion of Civil and Family Matters – Telephone Conference Hearings from the BC Supreme Court
24 April 2020
- See the Notice to the Profession: COVID-19 Update issued by the Law Society of BC
- Notice to the Profession, the Public and the Media Regarding Civil and Family Proceedings - COVID-19: E-Filing and Desk Order Applications from the BC Supreme Court (updated)
- Notice to the Profession, the Public and the Media Regarding Civil Proceedings – Bankruptcy and Insolvency - COVID-19: E-Filing and Bankruptcy Desk Order Application from the BC Supreme Court
23 April 2020
- BC COVID-19 News Updates (Earnscliffe)
- General support programs provided by the governments (Earnscliffe)
- Canada Emergency Relief Benefit (CERB) & Canada Emergency Wage Subsidy (CEWS) (Earnscliffe)
21 April 2020
- BC COVID-19 News Updates (Earnscliffe)
20 April 2020
- See the Notice to the Profession: COVID-19 Update issued by the Law Society of BC
- Updated Notice to the Public Regarding the Court of Appeal for British Columbia's Response to COVID-19 - New Information Regarding Continuation of Court Operations
18 April 2020
- Notice to the Profession, the Public and the Media Regarding Civil and Family Proceedings, COVID-19: Telephone Conference Hearings issued by the Supreme Court of BC
- Read a summary of government responses to the COVID-19 pandemic for the last week and a look ahead to how the debate around re-opening our economies will be shaped. (Earnscliffe)
17 April 2020
- British Columbia Weekly Update (Earnscliffe)
16 April 2020
- BC COVID-19 News Updates (Earnscliffe)
- Notice to the Profession, the Public and the Media Regarding Criminal Proceedings, COVID-19: Suspension of Regular Supreme Court Operations issued by the Supreme Court of BC
15 April 2020
- See the BC Provincial Court’s Announcement today regarding Unsworn & Unaffirmed Affidavits for Urgent Hearing Applications issued by the Office of the Chief Judge.
- See the Notice to the Profession: COVID-19 Update issued by the Law Society of BC
- BC COVID-19 News Updates (Earnscliffe)
14 April 2020
13 April 2020
- Canada Emergency Wage Subsidy and other Policy Updates (Vancouver Board of Trade)
9 April 2020
- After our first month of COVID-19 and #workfromhome, the seriousness of the public health crisis and its economic consequences has settled in. Read more (Earnscliffe)
8 April 2020
- BC COVID-19 News Updates (Earnscliffe)
7 April 2020
- BC COVID-19 News Updates (Earnscliffe)
6 April 2020
- BC COVID-19 News Updates (Earnscliffe)
- See the Notice to the Profession: COVID-19 Update issued by the Law Society of BC
3 April 2020
- BC COVID-19 News Updates (Earnscliffe)
- See the Notice to the Profession: COVID-19 Update issued by the Law Society of BC, including Major System Upgrade/systems unavailable; Update from the courts
2 April 2020
- BC COVID-19 News Updates (Earnscliffe)
- An overview on the recently announced wage subsidy programs, CEWS and CERB as they are currently understood. The document will be updated as further information becomes available. (Earnscliffe)
1 April 2020
- See the Notice to the Profession: COVID-19 Update issued by the Law Society of BC, including: LTSA Process; Support for lawyers to manage impacts of COVID-19.
- Prime Minister releases details about the Canada Emergency Wage Subsidy to assist Canadian businesses struggling financially due to the COVID-19 crisis. Read more (Earnscliffe)
30 March 2020
- See the Notice to the Profession: COVID-19 Update issued by the Law Society of BC, including: Suspension of limitation periods; Update regarding execution of affadivits; Update on changes to the Supreme Court registry services; Update on Provincial Court; Supports for managing health and social impacts of COVID-19.
- See the following notices and direction issued by Chief Judge Gillespie:
- Notice to the Profession and Public - COVID-19 Suspension of Regular Court Operations (NP 20)
- FAM 07 Practice Direction - CFCSA Consent Requisitions
- Announcement regarding Changes to Provincial Court Registry Services
27 March 2020
- In the face of “almost total economic shutdown,” the Prime Minister announced major improvements to the package of supports for small and medium-sized businesses. Read more (Earnscliffe)
- Limitation periods to commence court proceedings in British Columbia have been suspended, and statutory decision-makers have been provided discretion to waive, suspend or extend time periods related to their powers. Read more
- See the Notice to the Profession: COVID-19 Update issued by the Law Society of BC, including: List of COVID-19 essential services: Deferral of second installment of LIF fees; Virtual commissioning; PLTC update; Impact on NCA examinations.
26 March 2020
- Lawyers and paralegals are included in the list of essential services in British Columbia during the COVID-19 pandemic. These daily services are those deemed essential to preserving life, health, public safety and basic societal functioning. They are the services British Columbians come to rely on in their daily lives. See the full list here.
- The Family Justice Services Division of the BC Ministry of the Attorney General has updated the Court on how it will operate during the pandemic. The Division provides a range of services to help resolve family disputes in a fair and timely way. Its in-person services are temporarily not available, but you can still access many of their services by telephone or other virtual means. Read more
25 March 2020
- After more than 12 hours of negotiations between the political parties, agreement was reached on the contents of the legislation needed to approve the government’s COVID-19 package. The COVID-19 Emergency Response Act was passed unanimously by the House of Commons just before 6:00 AM this morning. The legislation moved directly to the Senate where it was debated and passed without amendment around midday. Read more (Earnscliffe)
24 March 2020
- Updated Notice NP19 contains directions on applications for judicial authorization, Criminal Code s. 490 applications & extensions & necessary in-person applications. Peace officers should have affidavits sworn before attending Justice Centre.
- In anticipation of today’s extraordinary session of the House of Commons to consider the federal COVID-19 measures, the government yesterday released its draft legislation to the opposition parties. While the draft contains the legislative authorities to implement the $82 billion aid package announced last week, it touched off a firestorm of criticism because it also included unprecedented powers to spend, tax, borrow and regulate without approval of the House of Commons. By late last night, the Government House Leader had backed down, saying “We consulted with the opposition and will bring changes to the draft legislation." When the House convened, it suspended operations almost immediately to allow for further negotiations on the legislation. The parties did not reach a resolution and the House of Commons remained suspended to allow more time for a consensus to emerge. Read more (Earnscliffe)
23 March 2020
- As the number of COVID-19 cases being spread by community transmission rise, calls continue for the federal government to invoke the Emergencies Act. Pressure is building for the federal government to take stricter enforcement action to compel Canadians to stay home and to standardize the patchwork of bans on assembly that have arisen by province and municipality across the country. Read more (Earnscliffe)
- See the Notice to the Profession: COVID-19 Update issued by the Law Society of BC.
- The BC Government announced its $5 billion COVID-19 Action Plan for the Economy. This will complement the $82 billion federal economic response package announced last week. The provincial plan invests in critical services such as health care, provides financial relief for workers, and earmarks $2.2 billion specifically for businesses and recovery. Read a detailed memo from Earnscliffe breaking down the Action Plan.
- See the Notice to the Profession and Public - COVID-19 Suspension of Regular Court Operations (NP 19) (Revised) issued by Chief Judge Gillespie today.
- Revised BC Provincial Court closures
21 March 2020
- See the Notice to the Profession regarding Issuing Affidavits and Information from the courts issued by the Law Society of BC.
20 March 2020
- See the Notice to the Public Regarding Affidavits for use in civil and family proceedings issued by Chief Judge Gillespie today. Also see the revised BC Provincial Court Closures.
- The Prime Minister today announced urgent procurement measures to obtain necessary medical supplies to fight COVID-19 and a change in policy to close the Canadian border to asylum seekers and confirmed that the Canada-U.S. border will be closed to non-essential travel at midnight tonight. In his morning address, the PM made public a startling statistic, that the federal government has received 500,000 applications this week for Employment Insurance. In a normal week, 27,000 applications are received. (Earnscliffe)
- The BC government is preparing to announce a major economic package next week. Provincial Health officials prohibited dine-in service at all restaurants across the province, mandating take-out and delivery only. Strategies to support seniors and child-care will be announced next week. In Vancouver, a 60-day property tax grace period was announced along with a new Economic Recovery Task Force to look specifically at business taxes. (Earnscliffe)
- See the following link for Notice to the Profession and Public - COVID-19: Suspension of Regular Court Operations (NP 19) issued by Chief Judge Gillespie effective March 25, 2020 (unless otherwise stated in the Notice): Notice to the Profession and Public (NP 19) - COVID-19: Suspension of Regular Court Operations.
19 March 2020
- By the numbers: Chief Public Health Officer Dr. Tam reported that globally there are now 230,000 cases of COVID-19 in 177 countries. In Canada, there are more than 800 cases and have been 9 deaths. There are 10 cases confirmed at CFB Trenton. Over 50,000 Canadians have been tested. Read more (Earnscliffe)
- Reaction to Federal Economic Package: Response to the first phase of the federal government’s economic relief package has been largely positive. Most economists and stakeholder groups hailed the announcement as an important first step in helping households and vulnerable workers but warned that much more will be needed as the COVID-19 crisis deepens, and that the success of some of the initiatives will depend on how quickly the government can get money into the hands of Canadians. Read more (Earnscliffe)
18 March 2020
- BC moved today to declare a provincial state of emergency for the next two weeks, which gives the government additional powers to respond to the COVID-19 crisis and can be renewed by Cabinet order. The City of Vancouver followed suit, asking all residents to immediately limit the time they spend in public spaces and restaurants, except for take-out and delivery, were ordered to close. The BC Legislature will return on March 23 to sit for one day, with a quorum of 12 members, to pass legislation related to the Supply Act and amendments to the Employment Standards Act. (Earnscliffe)
- To protect the health of litigants, court staff, judges, and members of the public and to help contain the spread of the 2019 novel coronavirus (COVID-19), the Court of Appeal is strictly limiting its operations through this direction by the Chief Justice of British Columbia, effective 18 March 2020, and until further notice.
- The Provincial Court’s March 18, 2020 (10:30 AM) Court Closures Update (222 Main Street and Downtown Community Court also now closed).
- Due to the ongoing health crisis (COVID19), the Supreme Court of BC under the direction of Chief Justice C. Hinkson has ceased operations until further notice. https://bccourts.ca/supreme_court/
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The Law Society has published FAQs on practice management, PLTC and business operations. Check the website regularly for updates.
17 March 2020
- The Provincial Court of BC’s Tuesday, March 17, 2020 COVID-19 Update: https://www.provincialcourt.bc.ca/COVID19. This March 17, 2020 Update replaces the Court’s March 15 and 16, 2020 Updates).