APRIL - JUNE 2014

June 27, 2014
CIVIL PRACTICE DIRECTIVES - SUBMISSION OF ELECTRONIC FACTUMS & STATEMENTS, SETTLEMENT CONFERENCES

The Court has updated two of its practice directives. The first, Submission of Electronic Factums and Statements, will serve as an interim step while the Court's e-filing architecture is improved to allow factums to be filed.  The major change is to make it mandatory, rather than optional, for the parties to deliver an electronic version of their factum or statement on CD-ROM, DVD, or memory stick when filing paper copies of factums or statements.  It is effective on 1 October 2014.  The second, Settlement Conferences, is an update from the Court's earlier directive, simplifying language and allowing a justice in chambers to refer appeals to the program. It is effective immediately.

June 27, 2014
CIVIL PRACTICE NOTE - COURT SITTINGS IN KAMLOOPS AND KELOWNA

The Registrar has updated the practice note titled Court Sittings in Kamloops and Kelowna.  Recognizing that appeals are frequently of significance to the local community, the Court will now hear appeals originating from Kamloops, Kelowna, Vernon, Penticton and Salmon Arm in either Kamloops or Kelowna unless the Registrar directs otherwise.  This practice note is effective immediately.

June 20, 2014
COURT OF APPEAL LEGAL COUNSEL

The British Columbia Court of Appeal welcomes Sally Rudolf as the Court's new Legal Counsel, effective July 14, 2014.

May 27, 2014
JUDICIAL RETIREMENT - THE HONOURABLE MR. JUSTICE HALL

Mr. Justice Hall has retired from the Court of Appeal effective May 15, 2014.

May 16, 2014
LEGAL COUNSEL

The British Columbia Court of Appeal has an opening for its Legal Counsel. Interested applicants should send a resume and cover letter to Frank Kraemer QC Executive Director and Senior Counsel by May 30, 2014.

May 14, 2014
APPOINTMENT OF COURT OF APPEAL REGISTRAR

The British Columbia Court of Appeal welcomes the appointment of Timothy Outerbridge as the new Registrar of the Court. The appointment is effective June 30, 2014.

The Court of Appeal conducted a Pilot Project to reduce delays in criminal conviction and acquittal appeals from September 2010 to December 2013. This Report outlines the results of the Pilot Project with some recommendations for the future.

April 2, 2014
AMENDMENTS TO COURT OF APPEAL RULES

Amendments to the Court of Appeal Rules were deposited with the Registrar of Regulations and are in force as of 14 April 2014. The amendments are to Rule 2.1 (limited appeal orders) and Rule 20 (transcripts of evidence). A copy of the Order is Council may be found here.

On 2 April 2014, reasons were released in R v. R.K., 2014 BCCA 119, a case subject to publication bans under the Youth Criminal Justice Act and s. 517(1) of the Criminal Code.  These reasons have been withdrawn from the website and factual circumstances reported in the judgment should not be published by the media.