Updates
7 July 2026
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Chief Justice Skolrood has issues Practice Directive 75 - Chambers Practice. PD-75 clarifies expectations regarding chambers practice, including compliance with the Supreme Court Civil Rules and the Supreme Court Family Rules governing chambers proceedings and the consequences which may follow if those requirements are not met. PD-75 takes into consideration the feedback the Court received through its public consultation about chambers.
1 July 2026
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Commencing 1 July 2026, the Supreme Court of BC will implement changes to Online Booking for Long Chambers Hearings in Civil and Family Matters.
9 June 2026
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As of 1 June 2026, short applications (30 minutes or less) scheduled before an associate judge may be set in virtual chambers in all court locations, except in the Vancouver Registry. More information, and the list of virtual chambers hearing dates, is available here.
27 May 2026
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The BC Supreme Court has issued a new Criminal Rule 7 (Applications for a Reduction in the Number of Years of Imprisonment Without Eligibility for Parole), which comes into force on 1 June 2026. The new Rule 7 and associated forms can be found on the Rules, Procedure & Forms section of the Court’s website, under “Supreme Court Criminal Rules.”
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Associate Chief Justice Holmes has issued a Memorandum introducing the Rule.
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Forms 8 and 9 are also available on the Court Services Branch Criminal Court Forms site.
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11 May 2026
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The Provincial Court has revised the Conditional Sentence, Release Order and Probation and Peace Bond picklists to add Abbotsford and Chilliwack to the Report by Phone term.
8 May 2026
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The Provincial Court wants its access policy to be clear and easy to understand. To do this, the Court combined and updated ten access policies, one practice direction, and several notices into one clear, easy to read Access Policy with a user friendly design. The new Access Policy took effect on 5 May 2026.
5 May 2026
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Chief Justice Skolrood has amended Administrative Notice 12: Bankruptcy hearings before a Registrar in Bankruptcy.
1 May 2026
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As of 1 May, early resolution steps for family court cases will apply in the Interior, OCJ and Vancouver Island Regions. Early resolution already applies in Victoria, the Vancouver Region and the Fraser Region.
30 April 2026
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Associate Chief Justice Holmes has issued Notice to Profession re: Scheduled criminal trials for in-custody accused persons may not be able to proceed in some court locations
22 April 2026
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Associate Chief Justice Holmes has issued Notice to Profession re: Scheduling Pre-Trial Applications and Voir Dires in Criminal Cases. The Notice requires that, where the trial is expected to require three weeks of court time or less, the pre-trial applications and voir dires be scheduled for hearing within a single period.
17 April 2026
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Chief Judge Gillespie has issued new Notice 37 combining three Notices (Notices 1, 5, and 13) about court locations for the prosecution of offences under Indigenous laws into Notice 37 Court Location for Prosecutions under First Nation Agreements and Treaties.
31 March 2026
9 March 2026
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Chief Judge Gillespie has issued the following update effective 9 March: CRIM 18 has been revised to create a counsel document submission protocol for electronic desk order spring orders. Accordingly, it has been renamed Counsel Document Submission Protocol for Bail, Sentencing Hearings, and Electronic Desk Order Spring Orders.
10 February 2026
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Chief Judge Gillespie issued an update effective 10 Feb to Notice 35 Provincial Court Operations During FIFA World Cup 2026. Section 1.b regarding proceedings where police attendance is not required, is updated to remove the statement that there will be no in person hearings at Vancouver Criminal Court on Match days.
29 January 2026
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Chief Judge Gillespie has issued an update effective 29 January 2026 to the Access to Court Records Policy (ACC-2) to allow specific counsel to access DARS for family and YCJA proceedings by providing an electronic undertaking using their digital credential.
26 January 2026
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Associate Chief Justice Holmes has issued a Notice to Profession in the Supreme Court regarding the assignment of Case Management Judges under s. 551.1 of the Criminal Code.
11 December 2025
27 November 2025
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The BC Provincial Court has issued its 25th annual report, with detailed operational data, judges’ demographics, complaint summaries, and accounts of judges’ work both in and out of the courtroom. The report can be read here.
10 November 2025
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In July 2025, the Supreme Court invited the bar, litigants, organizations, and the public to comment on issues arising in chambers practice, as well as on specific areas of interest, and to provide suggestions for improvement. Over 100 submissions from lawyers, paralegals, legal assistants, and self-represented litigants, as well as consolidated feedback from law firms and organizations representing legal professionals. A summary of the feedback received can be read here.
10 November 2025
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A revised Family Orders Picklist FLA has been published today to add in D17 specific terms of appointment of children’s counsel pursuant to s. 202 of the Family Law Act and to delete the last paragraph in D17.
31 October 2025
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Starting November 1, 2025 the early resolution process will expand to the Vancouver (Robson Square), North Vancouver, Pemberton, Richmond and Sechelt registries and will apply to some Family Law Act applications including: parenting arrangements; child support; contact with a child; guardianship of a child; spousal support; and ownership or possession of a companion animal when families are separating. This approach is already available in Victoria, Surrey, Port Coquitlam, Abbotsford, Chilliwack and New Westminster.
24 October 2025
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Chief Judge Gillespie has issued an update to the GEN 05 practice direction: Non-Lawyers Appearing for Clients (previously titled Non-Lawyers Appearing for Clients in Court). Paragraph 5 was changed to allow non-lawyer agents to appear to fix dates on criminal, family or small claims matters. Changes were also made to some of the wording within the practice direction (changing “in court” to “before the court”).
3 October 2025
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Associate Chief Justice Holmes has issued CPD-11 – Notice of Applications to Challenge Potential Jurors for Cause, effective 6 October 2025. CPD-11 sets out the requirements for notice of applications to challenge potential jurors for cause in criminal proceedings. CPD-11 repeals Rule 2(7) of the Criminal Rules of the Supreme Court of British Columbia.
25 August 2025
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The Supreme Court registry has implemented an option for defence counsel of record to receive certain reports in criminal proceedings electronically by secure file transfer electronic mail, consistent with the one already established in the Provincial Court under CRIM15. Read the Notice for instructions.
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The prescribed form is available on the Criminal Court Forms page
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22 August 2025
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Effective 8 September 2025, the Associate Judges Chambers Project will be further expanded to allow parties to schedule applications in chambers where all litigants will appear by video using Microsoft Teams, by default.
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Associate Judges Chambers Pilot Project Notice - Effective 8 September 2025
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Practice Direction 68 (Associate Judges Chambers Pilot Project) - Effective 8 September 2025
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Tutorial Video Part 1: Introduction to the Associate Judges Chambers Pilot Project by Associate Judge Muir
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Tutorial Video Part 2: Preparing Electronic Application Records (this tutorial represents just one of many ways to prepare an electronic application record and is intended as a general description of the process)
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Tutorial Video Part 3: Submitting Electronic Application Records via Court Services Online
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13 August 2025
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A revised Youth (JIR) Picklist has been published today to change the number of 4107 "Release to" under "Residence, Curfew, Carry Permission, and Release To" to 4200. This term is at the bottom of page 4.
31 July 2025
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Court Operations - 2026 FIFA World Cup - Changing mode of trial
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As the Court has previously announced, there will be no civil jury trials in Vancouver, New Westminster, Port Coquitlam, Abbotsford or Chilliwack between June 12 ‐ July 8, 2026 ("FIFA period"). The Court invites a parties or counsel who have filed and served a Notice Requiring Trial by Jury for a trial scheduled during the FIFA period to express their desire to change the mode of trial from a jury trial to a judge alone trial by completing and submitting this form.
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Changing the mode of trial to judge alone will preserve the currently scheduled trial dates; however, as is always the case, the Court cannot guarantee that a trial judge will be available on the scheduled dates.
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30 July 2025
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Chief Judge Gillespie has issued a new Notice effective today. Notice 36 Witness and Interpreter Oath or Affirmation describes the process when a witness or interpreter wishes to swear an oath or make an affirmation using a religious or cultural item other than the Bible.
25 July 2025
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Chief Judge Gillespie has issued an update to FAM 11 Default Method of Attendance for Court Appearances Under the Provincial Court Family Rules.
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Section 6 was updated to reflect that the default method of appearance for all FMEA and ISO for appearances other than the exceptions mentioned will be hybrid and will not require an application
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Section 8 was added to reference the ability of counsel of record for a child to attend court remotely, except at trials and trial continuations
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Housekeeping and numbering changes were also made
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11 July 2025
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The Supreme Court of BC has struck a Civil and Family Chambers Practice Working Group to review the current practices and procedures for both regular (short) and long chambers, and to consider potential changes with a view to providing a more timely and efficient chambers. Feedback will be accepted until 5 September 2025.
7 July 2025
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Chief Justice Skolrood has announced some scheduling adjustments for the Supreme Court of BC during the FIFA World Cup 2026.
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Chief Judge Gillespie has issued New Notice 35 Court Operations during FIFA World Cup 2026 describing anticipated scheduling adjustments at court locations affected by the tournament.
2 July 2025
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Chief Judge Gillespie has issued the following:
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Revised Notice 33 Northern Virtual Bail Court Forensic Liaison Program includes updates to reflect the current processes and changes of the title “Sheriff Quarterback” to “sheriff coordinator”.
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New Notice 34 Forensic Liaison Program at Designated Court Locations describes the process for referral of an adult accused person appearing in custody for a bail hearing to a Forensic Liaison for a mental health examination at designated court locations.
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23 June 2025
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Associate Chief Justice Holmes has issued a revised version of CPD-4 (Procedure for Detention Reviews Under s. 525 of the Criminal Code). The main change is to extend the timeframe during which counsel may use the Adjournment Form to adjourn a scheduling hearing. CPD-4 and the related forms can be found by clicking here.
6 June 2025
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Chief Justice Skolrood has updated Practice Direction 24 - Witness Oaths and Affirmations, which describes some administrative aspects of oaths and affirmations in court proceedings including the use of religious or cultural items other than the Bible.
30 May 2025
- On Monday, June 9, 2025, a new Supreme Court registry will open at the Port Coquitlam Law Courts and full registry services will be available. The address for the Port Coquitlam Law Courts is 2620 Mary Hill Road, Port Coquitlam BC V3C 3B2
25 April 2025
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Associate Chief Justice Holmes has issued Criminal Practice Direction 10 (CPD-10), which revises the process for ensuring an accused person has been advised of their official language rights under s. 530 of the Criminal Code. Where an accused person has been so advised in the Provincial Court, a new inquiry will generally not be necessary in the Supreme Court. CPD-10 also introduces the option of counsel advising the accused person of their s. 530 rights, completing a form with the accused person, and filing it at the appropriate Supreme Court Registry.
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Chief Judge Gillespie has issued an update to CRIM 05 Hearing of Bail Applications effective Monday April 28, 2025. The updated practice direction revises Appendix A, moving the East Kootenay locations from VR3 to VR4.
9 April 2025
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Chief Judge Gillespie has issued an update to Notice 31 Processing Outstanding Arrest Warrants for Accused with Existing Bail During Courthouse Registry Business Hours. This update adds a process for appearances at circuit court locations (a court location where there is no court registry and the court party travels there for periodic court sittings).
8 April 2025
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Chief Judge Gillespie has issued an update to CRIM 03 Judicial Auhorization Applications explaining who is responsible for filing application documents for in-person applications outside the Justice Centre.
4 April 2025
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Chief Judge Gillespie has issued a new practice direction: CRIM 21 SOIRA Exemption Applications (S. 490.4 (1) (A) Criminal Code) provides the procedure for filing and hearing SOIRA exemption applications under section 490.04 (1) (a) of the Criminal Code.
2 April 2025
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Associate Judges Chambers Pilot Project - Reminder of instructions
12 February 2025
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Chief Justice Skolrood has updated Administrative Notice 18 - General Requirements for Microsoft Teams Video Hearings, which sets out the technical and other requirements for anyone participating in a court hearing by Microsoft Teams Video and also provides information on how members of the media or public can attend such proceedings.
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Registrar Gaily has updated Administrative Notice 8 - Pre-Hearing Conferences in Registrars' Matters, which sets out the circumstances in which a pre-hearing conference must be held for registrars' matters, how to schedule a pre-hearing conference, and the materials that should be provided in advance of a pre-hearing conference.
6 February 2025
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The Court of Appeal has updated its Practice Directive, Appearing before the Court, to clarify its expectations for counsel's attire in chambers.
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Chief Justice Skolrood and Associate Chief Justice Holmes have rescinded PD-11 and issued a new practice direction which sets out the court’s direction for when counsel are expected to gown. Read PD-67 - Gowning Policy for Counsel
24 January 2025
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The Supreme Court is returning to an in-person bidding process for foreclosure proceedings and other matters involving the sale of land. Chief Justice Skolrood has issued Practice Direction 66 - Foreclosure Proceedings.
24 January 2025
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Chief Judge Gillespie issued an update to Notice 03 Judicial Case Managers Assignment of Duties Pursuant to s. 11 of the Provincial Court Act. The update clarifies that for adjournments, self-represented accused who are in custody, no matter the reason, should have their application heard by a judge. It also clarifies that judicial case managers do not have authority to adjourn small claims settlement conferences.
19 December 2024
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Chief Judge Gillespie issued updates to the CRIM 04 and FAM 03 practice directions and has issued a new SM CL 05 practice direction. These practice directions address scheduling continuations of trials or hearings that have not finished in the time provided as soon as possible and without undue delay, and for criminal matters the goal is to schedule the continuation so the matter concludes within the timeframe set out by the Supreme Court of Canada in R. v. Jordan, 2016 SCC 27.
8 November 2024
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Effective 7 November 2024, Chief Judge Gillespie issued a revised Notice 33 Northern Virtual Bail Court Forensic Liaison Program (formerly Northern Virtual Bail Court (Prince George) Forensic Liaison Program). The revisions include the effective dates for expansion of the program to Prince Rupert (effective 12 November 2024), Smithers and Terrace (effective 13 January 2025), as well as updates to reflect the current processes.
17 October 2024
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Chief Judge Gillespie has issued an update to Notice 28 Current Court Operations to revise the following:
- Part I to reflect the rescinding of NP 20 Affidavits for Use in Court Proceedings
- Part IV to add “remotely” to the first paragraph
- Part IV(1) “Judicial Interim Release” to clarify that counsel may sign the Application to Vary Bail by Consent Form on behalf of their accused client whether the accused is in custody or not
- Appendix A to add under “F. Criminal” a section on “remanded appearances for in custody accused”
7 October 2024
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Effective 7 October 2024, Chief Judge Gillespie has issued an update to the CRIM 12 Criminal Pre-Trial Conferences practice direction to add secions addressing pre-trial conferences for Sexual Offences files.
10 September 2024
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Effective 10 September 2024, Chief Judge Gillespie has issued the following update:
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Notice 03 (formerly NP 03) Assignment of Duties to Judicial Case Managers was revised to add “except for those matters involving detained self-represented accused” to paragraph (b).
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9 September 2024
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Effective 9 September 2024, Chief Judge Gillespie has rescinded NP 20 Affidavits for Use in Court Proceedings.
9 September 2024
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Recission of COVID-19 Notice No. 2 (Notice to the Public regarding Affadavits for use in Court Proceedings - BC Supreme Court & Court of Appeal
6 September 2024
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Chief Judge Gillespie has issued a revised CRIM 20 Practice Direction: Language of Accused with revisions that include a requirement that counsel provide Crown Counsel with a filed copy of the language rights form (Form PCR 976).
2 August 2024
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Chief Judge Gillespie has issued the following updates effective today:
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FAM 10 Electronic Signatures on Family Forms & Orders & Filing of Orders and FAM 13 Affidavits and Exhibits for use in Family Proceedings were revised in light of the new child protection Rules for the Cowichan Tribes.
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1 August 2024
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Chief Judge Gillespie has issued the following update effective today:
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FAM 12 Default Method of Attendance for Court Appearances Under the Provincial Court (CFCSA) Rules and the Provincial Court (Snuw’uy’ulhtst tu Quw’utsun Mustimuhw u’ tu Shhw’a’luqwa’a’ i’ Smun’eem) [Laws of the Cowichan People for Families and Children] Rules was revised in light of the new child protection Rules for the Cowichan Tribes.
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25 July 2024
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Chief Judge Gillespie has issued the following update effective today:
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Notice 28 (formerly NP 28) Current Court Operations: Part IV, section 1 has been revised to amend the process for consent bail variations with a surety.
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12 July 2024
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Chief Judge Gillespie has issued a revised CRIM 20 Language of Accused effective today. The revisions include an updated Appendix A (PCR 976), as well as housekeeping edits.
5 July 2024
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Chief Judge Gillespie has issued the following update effective today:
- Notice 16 (formerly NP 16) Assignment of Duties to Judicial Justices has been revised to add subsection (c) regarding hearings in respect of Treaty First Nation violation ticket offences and to change “Notice to the Profession and Public” (NP) to “Notice” to be more plain language.
5 July 2024
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Chief Judge Gillespie has issued a revised Notice 33 (formerly NP 33) Northern Virtual Bail Court (Prince George) Forensic Liaison Program. The revisions reflect the current process for referral of an adult accused person appearing in custody from Prince George into the Northern Virtual Bail Courtroom VR1 (PG) to a Forensic Liaison.
2 July 2024
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Associate Chief Justice Holmes has issued Criminal Practice Direction 8 (CPD-8) to improve the clarity of publication bans made in criminal proceedings and the accuracy of court records documenting them.
2 July 2024
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Chief Judge Gillespie has issued the following new Practice Direction effective today:
- CRIM 20 Language of Accused includes a form (Language of Accused PCR976) counsel may use to advise the Court that their client has been notified of their language rights under section 530 of the Criminal Code
11 June 2024
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Provincial Court Family Forms are changing. The new forms will be available on the Court Services Branch forms web page as of 12 August.
10 June 2024
3 May 2024
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The Chief Justice of British Columbia has issued two new practice directives:
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an update to Chambers Applications, a criminal and civil practice directive, introducing online booking of chambers applications
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a new directive, Registrar's Powers, giving the Registrar certain additional case management powers under s. 37(2) of the Court of Appeal Act in civil matters
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28 March 2024
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The Court of Appeal for British Columbia has released its Annual Report for 2023.
20 March 2024
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Application book completion instructions for leave/stay and applications to vary have been updated to clarify that application response books should include evidence, exhibits, or affidavits (if any) relevant to the application and not otherwise included in the application book or in the response book of any other respondent.
12 March 2024
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The Registrar's Filing Directive has been updated to reiterate parties’ responsibility to ensure the accuracy and authenticity of materials filed with the Court, particularly given various litigation aids and artificial intelligence tools.
11 March 2024
- Chief Judge Gillespie has issued the following update:
4 March 2024
- Associate Chief Justice Holmes has amended paragraph 8 of Criminal Practice Direction 1 (CPD-1).
- CPD-1 now requires that a pre-trial conference for all sexual offences take place at least four months before the scheduled trial.
15 February 2024
- Chief Judge Gillespie has issued the following update effective 20 February 2024:
- CRIM 18 Counsel Document Submission Protocol for Bail and Sentencing Hearings has been revised to add a clarifying note to the opening paragraph under "Directions" and housekeeping edits
7 February 2024
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The following updates have been made to the Court of Appeal Record and Courtroom Access Policy:
- Section 1.5 – Use of Personal Information in Reasons for Judgment
- Section 1.8 – Obtaining access to family court records – minute sheets and digital audio recordings are exempted from general restrictions
- Section 1.10 – Retention, disposition and storage of records – updated to reflect changed requirements under the Information Management Act
- New access request form which combines the former Access Request form and Appendix C form for restricted records
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NEW: A Records Request Fees Chart has been created combining fees in Court of Appeal Rules Schedule 2 Court Fees Division 1 and Finance Directives.
5 February 2024
1 February 2024
- Chief Justice Hinkson has revised Administrative Notice 12 - Bankruptcy Hearings before a Registrar in Bankruptcy setting the process to be followed to schedule hearings before a Registrar in Bankruptcy, the default methods of appearance, and how to submit materials.
- The Bans on Publication Policy (BAN-1) has been updated to reference the Intimate Images Protection Act and Bill S-12 An Act to Amend the Criminal Code, the Sex Offender Information Registration Act and the International Transfer of Offenders Act.
29 January 2024
- Chief Judge Gillespie has issued the following updates effective today:
- New Small Claims Practice Direction: SM CL 04 Intimate Images Protection Act Procedural Requirements which clarifies procedural requirements for matters under the Intimate Images Protection Act
- Access to Court Records Policy which has been updated to indicate that only a party to the court file or their lawyer, or a person authorized by a judge, may search a court file under the Intimate Images Protection Act
22 January 2024
- Associate Chief Justice Holmes has issued Criminal Practice Direction 7 (CPD-7):
- Chief Judge Gillespie has issued the following new Practice Direction effective today:
15 January 2024
- Amendments to the Supreme Court Act to change the title of master to associate judge were brought into force today.
- Chief Justice Hinkson has issued Practice Direction 65 - Consent Adjournments of Applications and Petitions on the Chambers List to replace replaced Practice Direction 28 and Administrative Notice 10 and Administrative Notice 16.
21 December 2023
- Effective immediately, the Court of Appeal has issued a revised Civil and Criminal Practice Directive on Publication Bans, Sealing Orders and Anonymization Orders
12 December 2023
- Chief Judge Gillespie has issued the following updates:
30 November 2023
- Supreme Court Masters Electronic Applications are expanding to Fraser Region effective 4 December 2023
- tutorial videos have been created describing the project, as well as how to prepare the electronic application and how to submit via Court Services Online
- complete Survey for counsel who submitted an eBinder
- complete Survey for counsel who did not submit an eBinder
22 November 2023
- Chief Judge Gillespie has issued the following new Notice effective 23 November 2023:
17 November 2023
- Chief Judge Gillespie has issued the following new Practice Direction effective today:
15 November 2023
- Chief Judge Gillespie has issued the following update effective immediately:
- New Practice Direction: NP 32 Official of the Court under Rule 62(g.1) of the PCFR
17 October 2023
- Chief Justice Hinkson has revised three Practice Directions effective 17 October 2023:
- Practice Direction 4 - updated and renamed to Judicial Management and Early Assignment of a Trial Judge or Hearing Judge in Civil and Family Procedings
- Practice Direction 5 - Class Proceedings
- Practice Direction 55 - Canadian Judicial Protocol for the Management of Multi-jurisdictional Class Actions and the Provision of Class Action Notice
3 October 2023
- As set out in the Masters Chambers Pilot Project Notice, the Masters Chambers Pilot Project will be expanded on 23 October 2023. The Project is now being expanded to applications scheduled for 30 minutes or less in Masters chambers at court locations in the northern region: Dawson Creek, Fort St. John, Prince George, Quesnel, Smithers and Terrace. Detailed instructions about working with PDFs can be found here.
1 October 2023
- Chief Justice Robert J. Bauman has retired from the Court of Appeal for British Columbia and the Court of Appeal of Yukon effective 1 October 2023. Chief Justice Bauman served as Chief Justice of British Columbia for ten years, after four years as Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of British Columbia (2009-2013). He was appointed to the Court of Appeal in 2008 after serving 12 years on the Supreme Court.
15 September 2023
- Chief Judge Gillespie has issued the following update effective 18 September 2023:
8 September 2023
- Chief Judge Gillespie has issued the following updates today that will be effective 18 September 2023 in the Northern, Interior, Island and Vancouver Regions, and 16 October 2023 in the Fraser Region:
1 September 2023
- A number of amendments to the Supreme Court Family Rules and Supreme Court Civil Rules took effect on 1 September 2023. Amendments of note include:
- Amendments to the Civil and Family Rules: Revision of Information Sheets re: Trial Briefs and Trial Certificate, Recission of FPD-6, FPD-18, PD-49, PD-51 and AN-13, Revisions to PD-4 and PD-28 and new PD-19
3 August 2023
- A number of amendments to the Supreme Court Family Rules and Supreme Court Civil Rules will take effect on 1 September 2023. Amendments of note include:
- new criteria for when a trial management conference must be conducted;
- expanded trial brief forms and new deadlines for when they must be filed and served;
- a new requirement to provide an email addresses for service, if available;
- the option to schedule case planning conferences for family law cases; and,
- the option to apply for judgment by way of summary trial in undefended family law cases.
- For support, Chief Justice Hinkson has issued Practice Direction 63 - Trial Management Conferences, Trial Briefs and Trial Certificates - Transitional Guidance
1 August 2023
- Chief Justice Hinkson has revised two Practice Directions:
19 July 2023
- The Masters Chambers Pilot Project has release a training video to assist lawyers and their staff in preparing digital documents and eFiling them.
17 July 2023
- Chief Judge Gillespie has issued the following updates effective 17 July:
13 July 2023
- Update to Long Chambers Booking Dates:
- scheduling in Vancouver and New Westminster have updated their call-in dates for booking long chambers family hearings
26 June 2023
- Chief Judge Gillespie has issued the following update effective immediately:
- New Practice Direction: CRIM 16 Joint Hearing Criminal Case Management Orders Under s. 551.7 Code
22 June 2023
- Commencing 5 September 2023, criminal jury selection will be conducted in one stage.
9 June 2023
- Chief Judge Gillespie has issued the following update:
1 June 2023
- Effective 19 June 2023, the Masters Chambers Pilot Project is expanding to Cranbrook, Kamloops, Kelowna, Nelson, Penticton, Rossland, Salmon Arm, and Vernon.
12 May 2023
- Chief Judge Gillespie has issued the following:
- New CRIM 17 Practice Direction: Withdrawing as Counsel of Record in Criminal Matters (effective 12 May)
- Revised Access to Court Records Policy (effective 15 May)
20 April 2023
- Chief Judge Gillespie has issues the following updates effective 20 April:
14 March 2023
- In recognition of the National Day for Truth and Reconcilation taking place Saturday 30 September, the Court of Appeal for British Columbia, the Supreme Court of British Columbia and the Provincial Court of British Columbia will be closed on Monday 2 October 2023.
13 March 2023
10 March 2023
- Chief Judge Gillespie has issued the following update which will be effective 20 March 2023:
10 February 2023
- Chief Judge Gillespie has issued the following updates:
26 January 2023
- Chief Judge Gillespie has issued the following update:
12 January 2023
- Chief Judge Gillespie has issued the following updates effective 14 January 2023:
5 January 2023
- Chief Judge Gillespie has issued the following updates effective 9 January 2023:
19 December 2022
- Chief Judge Gillespie has issued the following updates effective 19 December 2022:
- Revised FAM 12 Default Method of Attendance for Court Appearances Under the Provincial Court (CFCSA) Rules – revised title and amendments consequential to the Revised CFCSA Rules per OIC 559/2022 and 676/2022
- Revised NP 28 Court Operations During Communicable Disease Phase of COVID-19 – changes consequential to the Revised CFCSA Rules and housekeeping changes
- Revised Access to Court Records Policy – updated section 3 to be consistent with Rule 8(15) of the Revised CFCSA Rules
- Revised NP 11 Use of a Support Person in Small Claims and Family Proceedings – housekeeping changes
- Revised NM 01 Accredited Media Access to Court Proceedings and Court Records – clarifies subsection 1.1 that remote access by accredited media to court proceedings is by telephone.
7 December 2022
- Chief Judge Gillespie has issued FAM 13 Affidavits & Exhibits for Use in Family Proceedings effective 6 December 2022, which sets out guidelines for intimate images in Affidavits and Exhibits as well as guidelines regarding the length and format of Affidavits and Exhibits in family proceedings.
28 November 2022
- The BC Supreme Court has issued two updated Criminal Practice Directions regarding pre-trial conferences (CPD-1) and complex cases (CPD-3).
18 November 2022
- The Judicial Council of BC has issued today a Notice to the Profession and Public Calling for Applications for Judicial Appointments as Part Time Judicial Justice of the Provincial Court of BC.
15 November 2022
- As it did during the height of the pandemic, the British Columbia Court of Appeal will return to broadcasting appeals publicly by Zoom on 3 January 2023. Details may be found within Section 2.2 of the Court of Appeal’s Record and Courtroom Access Policy. Those who have already scheduled appeals on or after 3 January 2023 will be contacted by the registry to confirm that no parties object to the broadcast. Read more
3 October 2022
- Revised SM CL 02 Practice Direction: Default Method of Attendance for Court Appearances Under the Small Claims Rules, which amends the title and makes other revisions consequential to the revised Small Claims Rules per OIC 401/2022
12 September 2022
- Given the passing of Queen Elizabeth II, references in the style of proceedings for any civil or criminal matter should use "Rex" or "His Majesty the King" in place of "Regina" or "Her Majesty the Queen". Read more.
25 August 2022
- COVID-19 Notice No. 55: The final day of the temporary suspension of civil jury trials in BC is 7 October 2022, after which civil jury trials will resume.
15 August 2022
- As the result of changes taking effect 15 August 2022, the Court has revised several of its COVID-19 Notices and rescinded COVID-19 Notice No. 38 concerning criminal jury trials, which has been replaced by COVID Notice No. 53.
- Effective 15 August 2022, the Court has returned to holding the majority of civil and family proceedings (including chambers) in person, unless the Court otherwise orders or directs. Trial Management Conferences are the only type of civil and family proceeding that will continue remotely by default. See updated COVID Notice No. 50.
- Parties wishing to apply to change the manner of attendance and obtain an order or directions to appear remotely must follow the procedures set out in updated COVID Notice No. 42.
- See COVID Notice No. 54 for more information about the Masters Chambers Pilot, commencing 15 August 2022 at the following registries: Campbell River, Courtenay, Duncan, Nanaimo, Port Alberni, Powell River, and Victoria.
6 August 2022
- The BC Provincial Court has updated its "picklists" containing standard wording of bail/sentencing orders. The Court will use the updated version effective Monday 8 August. Download them at bit.ly/3BKhtWJ .
2 August 2022
- Chief Judge Gillespie has issued the following update:
- SM CL 02 Small Claims Proceedings Part A, s. 3 has been revised by adding that for an application to a judge pursuant to Rule 17(16.2) to appear remotely the default method of attendance will be MS Teams or by telephone.
8 July 2022
- Chief Judge Gillespie has issued the following updates effective 18 July 2022:
- Revised NP 28 Court Operations During Communicable Disease Phase of COVID-19
- New FAM 12 Practice Direction: Default Method of Attendance for CFCSA Proceedings
- Revised CRIM 13 Practice Direction: Initial Appearance Court
- Revised CRIM 14 Practice Direction: Northern and Interior Virtual Bail Pilot Project
- Revised CRIM 05 Practice Direction: Hearing of Bail Applications
16 June 2022
- Chief Judge Gillespie has issued the following updates:
25 May 2022
16 May 2022
- The Kamloops Informal Trial Pilot (family law) is effective as of 16 May 2022.
12 May 2022
- Practice Direction 5 describes the procedure for requesting the assignment of a case management judge in a proceeding that is commenced under the Class Proceedings Act.
- Chief Judge Gillespie has issued the Revised Access to Court Proceedings Policy, which updates section 5.3 by adding reference to “audio recording”.
11 May 2022
- COVID-19 Notice 31 - timeframes in the sealed bid process have been further modified.
- Practice Direction 61 - Applications to Commence Proceedings Anonymously has been issued by Chief Justice Hinkson
11 April 2022
- See COVID-19 Notice 31 for information about the sealed bid process and the manner of appearance in foreclosure matters.
- The Supreme Court Family Order Pick List has been updated.
- COVID-19 Notice No. 42 – Chambers Applications by Microsoft Teams Video and In Person has been updated to reflect that regular chambers hearings will continue by Teams video, while lengthy chambers hearings will proceed in person.
6 April 2022
- Chief Judge Gillespie has issued the following new practice direction, effective 11 April 2022
1 April 2022
- Effective 11 April 2022, the Court of Appeal will be lifting many of the measures that were put in place to control the spread of COVID-19 at courthouses. Further details will be shared next week.
- This message from Chief Judge Gillespie provides an overview of the changes the Provincial Court will be making on 11 April 2022 in light of the lifting of COVID-19 restricitons by the BC Government
31 March 2022
- Be advised that Family Practice Direction 18 - Applications made by Requisition pursuant to Supreme Court Family Rules 7-1(4), 14-3(4), 22-1(3) and (4) and 22-6(4),has been issued by Chief Justice Hinkson effective 31 March 2022. This rescinds and replaces Family Practice Direction 13
- The Supreme Court will be lifting many of the measures that were put in place to control the spread of COVID-19 at courthouses, and will be resuming in-person proceedings except in limited circumstances. For details about the changes that will be effective as of 11 April 2022, please refer to the Index and see the following notices:
- COVID-19 Notice No. 50 – Manner of Attendance for Civil and Family Proceedings
- COVID-19 Notice No. 51 – Method of Attendance for Criminal Proceedings
- COVID-19 Notice No. 52 – Lifting of Courthouse and Courtroom Pandemic Measures
28 March 2022
- The Supreme Court has issued the Policy on Access to the Court Record, which takes effect Monday 28 March 2022
23 March 2022
- Updated COVID-19 Notice No. 45 - Resumption of In-Person Trials and Other Proceedings March 28-April and April 4-8, 2022
11 March 2022
- Face masks are required for all people attending courthouses in British Columbia until further notice.
9 March 2022
- Updated COVID-19 Notice No. 45 - Resumption of In-Person Trials and Other Proceedings March 14-25, 2022
3 March 2022
- Updated COVID-19 Notice No. 45 - Resumption of In-Person Trials and Other Proceedings March 7-11, 2022
23 February 2022
- Revised COVID-19 Notice No. 45 - Resumption of In-Person Trials and Other Proceedings February 28-March 4, 2022
9 February 2022
- Revised NP 22 In-Person Proceedings and Attendance during COVID-19: Health and Safety Protocols revises section 1 “Addressing Instances of Symptomatic Participants” to update information regarding compliance with any public health COVID-19 requirements related to travel from outside Canada (if applicable), and a housekeeping change to section 2.
3 February 2022
- Beginning 14 February 2022, appeal hearings and chambers proceedings will take place in person in the courtroom, unless individual parties apply or elect to appear remotely.
2 February 2022
- COVID-19 Notice No. 45 - Resumption of In-Person Trials and Other Proceedings February 7-11, 2022
1 February 2022
- The Supreme Court has developed four criminal law picklists with suggested standard wording for common types of conditions that may be imposed in judicial interim release (bail), probation, and conditional sentence orders, and ancillary orders at sentencing.
31 January 2022
- COVID-19 Notice No. 42 - Chambers Applications by MIcrosoft Teams VIdeo has been updated to reflect a new automated method of notifying counsel/parties of their hearing dates.
- COVID-19 Notice No. 46 - As of 31 January 2022, Judicial case Conferences (JCCs), which have been heard by telpephone or Teams audio during the COVID pandemic, will be heard by Teams VIdeo.
- COVID-19 Notice No. 35: Remote Video Conference Hearings has been rescinded and replaced with COVID Notice No. 47. Participants in any kind of video hearing or conference are advised to review COVID Notice No. 47 in advance of their attendance.
27 January 2022
- Chief Judge Gillespie has issued the following update effective 31 January 2022 to state that trials, trial continuations, and all other matters will proceed in person or virtually on their scheduled dates as set out in Revised NP 19 Court Operations During COVID-19 (eff. Jan. 31, 2022), subject to the availability of sufficient judges and court staff, as well as the availability of participants in the proceeding.
19 January 2022
- COVID-19 Notice No. 45 has been updated to adjourn in-person proceedings scheduled to begin or continue during the week of January 24, 2022.
12 January 2022
- COVID-19 Notice No. 45 has been updated to adjourn in-person proceedings scheduled to begin or continue during the week of January 17, 2022.
6 January 2022
- The Chief Justice of British Columbia has directed that all appeal and chambers proceedings take place remotely, unless otherwise directed.
- COVID-19 Notice No. 45 has been updated to adjourn in-person proceedings scheduled to begin or continue during the week of January 10, 2022.
- Chief Judge Gillespie announced that the Provincial Court of Britsh Columbia is taking steps to reduced the number of in-person trials taking place in courthouses from January 10 through 28, 2022. Details are set out in Notice NP 19.
4 January 2022
- COVID-19 Notice No. 45 - The Supreme Court of BC is reducing the number of in-person proceedings scheduled to begin or continue during the week of January 4, 2022.
- Chief Judge Gillespie has issued the following updates effective 4 January 2022:
- Revised NP 19 Court Operations during COVID-19 (January 4 to 7) to limit in-person proceedings
- Revised SM CL 02 Small Claims Proceedings during COVID-19 adds a COVID-19 alert for the week of January 4 to 7, 2022
15 December 2021
- Chief Judge Gillespie has issued a NEW Practice Direction:
- FAM 11 Default Method of Attendance for Certain Court Appearances (effective 4 January 2022)
8 December 2021
- COVID-19 Notice No. 42 has been updated to add additional registry information. See Appendices C and D.
1 December 2021
- COVID-19 Notice No. 29 - Notice Regarding Criminal Proceedings: COVID Pre-trial Conferences (CV PTC) has been rescinded, and CV PTCs will no longer be offered in criminal proceedings.
- NP21 & ACC1 make clear that "Except as authorized by the Court, the publishing, broadcasting, reproducing, transmitting, sharing, making available, or otherwise disseminating of virtual or in-person proceedings or recordings thereof is prohibited." Issued by Chief Judge Gillespie.
18 November 2021
- The BC Court of Appeal and BC Supreme Court have decided to eliminate the practice of addressing justices as my lady, my lord, your ladyship or your lordship.
8 November 2021
- Chief Judge Gillespie has issued the following:
26 October 2021
- Chief Judge Gillespie has issued a NEW Notice to the Profession and the Public:
- NP 26 Chilliwack Provincial Court Bail Pilot Project sets out the steps that are being taken to reduce interruptions to previously scheduled trials at the Chilliwack Provincial Court by judicial interim release (bail) hearings (effective 1 November 2021).
20 October 2021
- COVID-19 Notice No. 42 has been revised to include additional registries where long chambers applications, as well as some Judges chambers, will be heard by video using Microsoft Teams.reflect the latest requirements regarding wearing a mask in courthouses and travel into Canada.
13 October 2021
- Chief Justice Hinkson has revised COVID-19 Notice 27 to reflect the latest requirements regarding wearing a mask in courthouses and travel into Canada.
15 September 2021
- Chief Judge Gillespie has issues the following updates effective today:
1 September 2021
- Chief Judge Gillespie has issues the following updates effective today:
24 August 2021
- Effective 25 August 2021, further to an order of the Provincial Health Officer, people attending courthouses in British Columbia are required to wear a facemask.
- Notice Regarding Modified Court of Appeal Procedures and Access to Court Proceedings during the
COVID-19 Pandemic issued by Chief Justice Bauman - NP 22 In-Person Proceedings during COVID-19: Health & Safety Protocols issued by Chief Judge Gillespie
- Notice Regarding Modified Court of Appeal Procedures and Access to Court Proceedings during the
20 August 2021
- Updated: Notice Regarding Court of Appeal Procedures and Access to Court Proceedings and the Notice Regarding Modified Filing Directions for Civil and Criminal Appeals
- Guided by regional public health restrictions, the Supreme Court requires face masks be worn in all courthouses in the Interior Region, as does the Provincial Court - effective 23 August 2021
- NP 25 Adjournment and Rescheduling of Matters Presently Set for 30 September 2021
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
-
See the following updated Notices and Practice Directions issued by Chief Judge Gillespie:
16 July 2020
-
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
-
COVID-19 Notice No. 32 - Resumption of Further Court Operations - Registrar Hearings issued by the Supreme Court of BC
-
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).
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