Email page
Print pageThe Announcements Archive contains announcements previously listed in the Announcements section on the Supreme Court main page of this site. If you are unable to located a particular announcement, please contact the Website Coordinator.
MARCH - DECEMBER 2020 (COVID-19 ANNOUNCEMENTS)
December 22, 2020
END OF SUSPENSION OF LIMITATION PERIODS
On December 21, 2020 the Provincial Government announced that the suspension of limitation periods is no longer linked to the duration of the state of emergency, and the suspension will end on March 25, 2021. For more information, see the Court's amended COVID-19 Notice No. 34, here, and Order in Council 655/2020, here.
November 6, 2020
FACE MASKS IN BRITISH COLUMBIA COURTHOUSES
Chief Justice Bauman, Chief Justice Hinkson and Chief Judge Gillespie have jointly issued the following statement on behalf of all courts in British Columbia:
Effective Monday, November 9, 2020, people attending courthouses in British Columbia are strongly encouraged to wear face masks, including in entrances, waiting areas, registries, hallways, stairways, restrooms and elevators. If you do not have a face mask, Sheriffs will provide one when you enter the courthouse. While wearing a face mask can reduce the spread of infection, it does not substitute for physical distancing, which must be maintained whenever possible. Children under two years of age, persons with a medical condition or disability that inhibits wearing a face mask and persons who are unable to place or remove a face mask without assistance are exempt. In addition, while inside individual courtrooms the presiding judge, justice, master or registrar in a courtroom may modify this recommendation. All people attending courthouses in British Columbia are asked to be familiar with all health and safety protocols and to cooperate in observing them in order to protect everyone in courthouses in this province.
Click on the links below for more information regarding procedures when attending proceedings in each court:
Court of Appeal for British Columbia
Supreme Court of British Columbia
Provincial Court of British Columbia
November 6, 2020
COVID-19 NOTICE NO. 42 - CHAMBERS APPLICATIONS BY TELEPHONE AND MICROSOFT TEAMS
The Supreme Court is reissuing COVID-19 Notice No. 42 (Chambers Applications by Telephone and Microsoft Teams) to expand video hearings using Microsoft Teams to Masters chambers in New Westminster, Kamloops, Kelowna, Victoria, and Nanaimo as of February 1. More information is available here.
November 6, 2020
COVID-19 NOTICE NO. 27 - IN COURT MEASURES DURING THE PANDEMIC - UPDATED
Chief Justice Hinkson has revised Part IV of COVID-19 Notice No. 27 with respect to the use of masks inside courthouses.
October 14, 2020
COVID-19 NOTICE NO. 42 - CHAMBERS APPLICATIONS BY TELEPHONE AND MICROSOFT TEAMS
Effective October 14, 2020, the Supreme Court will begin a gradual roll-out to hear chambers applications using Microsoft Teams (“Teams”). Applications in Masters chambers of 2 hours or less scheduled for hearing in Vancouver will be heard by Teams starting on October 26, 2020. For every Teams hearing, a dial-in conferencing number will also be provided so that parties can participate by phone if they are unable to do so by video or if their video connection fails during the hearing.
Until further notice, all applications other than Masters chambers of 2 hours or less in Vancouver will proceed by telephone. Hearing of lengthy chambers applications and applications in Judges chambers and in locations other than Vancouver by Teams will be announced at a later date. Parties are encouraged to check the Court’s website regularly for more information.
September 21, 2020
COVID-19 NOTICE NO. 41 - AMENDMENTS TO THE SUPREME COURT CIVIL RULES - TEMPORARY SUSPENSION OF CIVIL JURY TRIALS
Government has amended the Supreme Court Civil Rules to temporarily suspend civil jury trials and the related rules beginning on September 28, 2020 and ending on October 3, 2021. Chief Justice Hinkson had previously suspended civil jury trials until January 1, 2021. For more information, see the Court’s notice about the suspension of civil jury trials, available here, and the order-in-council, available here.
August 7, 2020
REVISIONS TO COVID-19 NOTICE NO. 34 - EXPANSION OF COURT OPERATIONS - IN-PERSON REGISTRY SERVICES
Further revisions have been made to COVID-19 Notice No. 34 to provide updated information about the suspension of mandatory limitation periods in provincial laws and enactments. The suspension is set to end 90 days after the date on which the last declaration of a state of emergency expires or is cancelled.
July 27, 2020
COVID-19 NOTICE NO. 40 - RESUMPTION OF TRIAL MANAGEMENT CONFERENCES - CIVIL AND FAMILY MATTERS
Chief Justice Hinkson has issued COVID-19 Notice 40 to replace COVID-19 Notice 26. Effective July 27, 2020, parties must file and serve trial briefs, trial records and trial certificates in accordance with the Supreme Court Civil Rules and the Supreme Court Family Rules. The timeframes for filing and serving trial briefs, trial records, and trial certificates which were set out in COVID-19 Notice No. 26 no longer apply. The Court’s direction that TMCs proceed by telephone unless the Court otherwise orders continues to apply. For more information, click here.
July 20, 2020
REVISIONS TO COVID-19 NOTICE NO. 14 - APPLICATIONS BY WRITTEN SUBMISSIONS
Further revisions have been made to COVID-19 Notice. 14 to clarify that a party may only bring one application by written submissions per file at a time.
July 17, 2020
COVID-19 NOTICE NO. 39 - CIVIL JURY SELECTIONS AND TRIALS
Effective July 17, 2020, Chief Justice Hinkson has extended the cancellation of civil jury selections and civil jury trials up to and including January 1, 2021. To view the Notice, click here.
July 17, 2020
COVID-19 NOTICE NO. 38 - CRIMINAL JURY TRIALS RESUMING SEPTEMBER 8, 2020
The Supreme Court of British Columbia will resume criminal jury selections and trials on September 8, 2020. For details please click here.
July 13, 2020
COVID-19 NOTICE NO. 37 - NOTICE TO MEDIA REGARDING ACCESS TO COURT PROCEEDINGS
The Supreme Court of British Columbia recognizes the critical importance of the open court principle, including in the exceptional circumstances related to the COVID-19 pandemic. With hearings increasing across the province, including by telephone and remote video conference using Microsoft Teams, the Court has taken steps to ensure that the media continue to have options for observing and reporting on court proceedings during this unprecedented time. For more information please click here.
July 13, 2020
REVISIONS TO COVID-19 NOTICE NO. 14 (APPLICATIONS BY WRITTEN SUBMISSIONS) AND COVID-19 NOTICE NO. 28 (CHAMBERS APPLICATIONS BY TELEPHONE)
Effective July 13, 2020 the process for making an application by written submission as set out in COVID-19 Notice. 14 and the process for making a chambers application by telephone as set out in COVID-19 Notice. 28 have been modified.
July 10, 2020
REVISED COVID-19 NOTICE NO. 34 - EXPANSION OF COURT OPERATIONS - IN-PERSON REGISTRY SERVICES
On July 7th the Supreme Court announced that, effective July 13, 2020, all Supreme Court registries will be open for in-person services. The Court also announced that the request for urgent hearing process will be discontinued, and the processes for making an application by written submissions and for making a chambers application by telephone will be modified. This revised Notice states that the telephone conference hearing process, which was established for civil and family matters that had been scheduled to be heard between March 19 and May 29, were not urgent or essential, and met certain other criteria, will be discontinued as of July 13, 2020. The Court will continue to hear other matters by telephone, including judicial case conferences, chambers applications, trial management conferences, case planning conferences, and Registrar’s hearings. To view the revised Notice, click here.
July 7, 2020
COVID-19 NOTICE NO. 35 - EXPANSION OF COURT OPERATIONS - REMOTE VIDEO CONFERENCE HEARINGS
Effective July 7, in an effort to increase the number of matters that can be heard during the COVID-19 pandemic, the Court will offer the possibility of hearings proceeding by remote video conference (RVC) using Microsoft Teams. Eligibility for RVC hearings will be restricted to those matters that meet the criteria set out in this Notice. RVC hearings are not available for any hearings that involve language interpretation or witnesses, and no part of a trial may be heard by RVC, except in special circumstances by order of the trial judge or case management judge. Booking of RVC hearings is also subject to availability of Court resources, including computer equipment and trained court clerks. Parties must supply their own computer equipment and be fully ready to set up and use Teams on their own, without technical support or trouble-shooting from the Court. For more information, click here.
July 7, 2020
COVID-19 NOTICE NO. 34 - EXPANSION OF COURT OPERATIONS - IN-PERSON REGISTRY SERVICES
Effective July 13, 2020, all Supreme Court registries will be open for in-person services. At that time, the request for hearing process for urgent and essential civil, family and insolvency matters will be discontinued, and regular processes will resume except as set out in the Court’s COVID-19 notices. Also effective July 13, 2020, the processes for making an application by written submissions and for making a chambers application by telephone will be modified.
July 7, 2020
COVID-19 NOTICE NO. 33 - EXPANSION OF COURT OPERATIONS - CRIMINAL PROCEEDINGS
Effective July 13, 2020, all Supreme Court registries will be open for in-person services. For this and other reasons, on July 13, 2020, the request for hearing process for urgent and essential hearings will be discontinued and regular processes will resume except as set out in the notice. For more information click here.
June 30, 2020
COVID-19 NOTICE NO. 32 - RESUMPTION OF FURTHER COURT OPERATIONS - REGISTRAR HEARINGS
June 30, 2020
COVID-19 NOTICE NO. 31 - RESUMPTION OF FURTHER COURT OPERATIONS - SEALED BID PROCEDURES FOR FORECLOSURES AND OTHER MATTERS INVOLVING SALES OF LAND
With the resumption of civil chambers by telephone, foreclosure hearings have also resumed. The process for submitting sealed bids to the Court for foreclosures and other matters involving the sale of land is set out here.
June 30, 2020
COVID-19 NOTICE NO. 29 - CRIMINAL PROCEEDINGS - COVID PRE-TRIAL CONFERENCES (CV PTC)
CV PTCs, which were introduced on May 4, 2020, will continue until further notice for all criminal cases where the trial was adjourned or is at risk of being adjourned because of direct or indirect effects of the public health emergency. This revised Notice directs that counsel are no longer required to complete and submit the CV PTC form, but are expected to appear at the CV PTC informed and instructed about the case. To view the Notice, click here.
June 30, 2020
COVID-19 NOTICE NO. 30 - CRIMINAL PROCEEDINGS - APPLICATIONS UNDER S. 490 OF THE CRIMINAL CODE (FURTHER DETENTION OF THINGS SEIZED)
During the COVID-19 health emergency, the Supreme Court implemented a temporary procedure for s. 490 applications. This updated Notices describes some changes to the procedure. For more details, click here.
June 5, 2020
COVID-19 NOTICE NO. 28 - RESUMPTION OF FURTHER COURT OPERATIONS - CHAMBERS APPLICATIONS
Effective June 8, 2020, the Court will resume hearing chambers applications of two hours or less. Hearings will proceed by telephone unless the Court otherwise orders, and in accordance with Notice #28 - Resumption of Further Court Operations - Chambers Applications, found here. The Chief Justice has modified certain requirements related to application records and service of application record indexes. To see the Order of the Chief Justice, click here.
Please note that, with the resumption of chambers as set out in COVID-19 Notice No. 28 dated June 5, 2020, as of June 8, 2020 the Request for Urgent Hearing process is ONLY available for urgent applications on short notice (“short leave applications”) under Rule 8-5 of the Supreme Court Civil Rules and Rule 10-9 of the Supreme Court Family Rules. Other applications should be made through regular chambers.
June 5, 2020
COVID-19 NOTICE NO. 27 - IN COURT MEASURES DURING THE PANDEMIC
Supreme Court of British Columbia trials will resume on June 8, 2020 in a number of courthouse locations. Some changes within courtrooms and courthouses are required to comply with public health directives and orders regarding the COVID-19 pandemic. Members of the legal profession, public and media need to be aware of new measures and precautions in place to ensure safety during court proceedings. For more information click here. Please also refer to the Ministry of Attorney General’s information about COVID-19 Court Recovery Operations summarizing the steps taken to ensure safety in courthouses and courtrooms.
June 3, 2020
COVID-19 NOTICE NO. 26 - RESUMPTION OF TRIAL MANAGEMENT CONFERENCES - CIVIL AND FAMILY MATTERS
The Court has revised and replaced COVID-19 Notice No. 23 to clarify that for civil matters where a jury notice has been filed and served, and the parties do not consent to proceed by judge alone, parties seeking to strike a jury notice may make an Application by Written Submissions. For more information, click here.
June 3, 2020
COVID-19 NOTICE NO. 25 - RESUMPTION OF FURTHER COURT OPERATIONS - CIVIL AND FAMILY MATTERS
The Court has revised and replaced COVID-19 Notice No. 22 to clarify that for civil matters where a jury notice has been filed and served, and the parties do not consent to proceed by judge alone, parties seeking to strike a jury notice may make an Application by Written Submissions. For more information, click here.
May 26, 2020
COVID-19 NOTICE NO. 24 - FILING OF AFFIDAVITS OF SERVICE AND DELIVERY - CIVIL AND FAMILY MATTERS
Parties not appearing in person before the Court as a result of measures put in place during the public health emergency are required to file their affidavits of service or delivery and may do so by e-filing. For more information, click here.
May 21, 2020
COVID-19 NOTICE NO. 23 - RESUMPTION OF TRIAL MANAGEMENT CONFERENCES - CIVIL AND FAMILY MATTERS
The Court has revised and replaced COVID-19 Notice No. 20 to clarify that for civil matters where a jury notice has been filed and served, parties may apply for orders as to how the trial will proceed at a Trial Management Conference or Judicial Management Conference. For more information, click here.
May 21, 2020
COVID-19 NOTICE NO. 22 - RESUMPTION OF SOME COURT OPERATIONS - CIVIL AND FAMILY MATTERS
The Court has revised and replaced COVID-19 Notice No. 19 to clarify that for civil matters where a jury notice has been filed and served, parties may apply for orders as to how the trial will proceed at a Trial Management Conference or Judicial Management Conference. For more information, click here.
May 19, 2020
BOOKING JUDICIAL MANAGEMENT CONFERENCES (JMCs) ONLINE
As provided in COVID-19 Notice No. 23 - Resumption of Trial Management Conferences and Trials - Civil and Family Matters, JMCs can now be booked online here.
May 15, 2020
BOOKING TRIAL MANAGEMENT CONFERENCES (TMCS) ONLINE
As provided in COVID-19 Notice No. 23 - Resumption of Trial Management Conferences and Trials - Civil and Family Matters, TMCs can now be booked online here.
May 14, 2020
COVID-19 NOTICE NO. 21- RESUMPTION OF SOME REGULAR COURT OPERATIONS - CRIMINAL PROCEEDINGS
Associate Chief Justice Holmes has issued COVID-19 Notice No. 21: Notice Regarding Criminal Proceedings - Resumption of Some Regular Court Operations, which can be viewed by clicking here.
The Court is now working toward the resumption of regular court operations. Notice No. 21 gives directions about criminal proceedings scheduled for June 1, 2020 and following. Unless the Court otherwise directs, all criminal trials, voir dires and pre-trial applications, and extradition hearings, scheduled to be heard between June 1 and June 5, 2020, are adjourned to a fix-date appearance as set out in Appendix A. At this point, the Court expects to proceed with criminal trials, voir dires and pre-trial applications, and extradition hearings scheduled to begin on or after June 8, 2020. However, the situation will continue to be assessed, taking into account the many factors affecting the Court’s capacity to hear these types of matters during the pandemic. Further directions about court operations will be forthcoming, and members of the profession, the public and the media should continue to monitor the Court’s website regularly for updates.
May 13, 2020
COVID-19 NOTICE NO. 20 - RESUMPTION OF TRIAL MANAGEMENT CONFERENCES AND TRIALS - CIVIL AND FAMILY MATTERS
The Court is now preparing to resume trial management conferences and civil and family trials. Trial management conferences scheduled on or after June 1, 2020 and trials scheduled on or after June 8, 2020 will resume, unless the Court otherwise directs. Trial management conferences and trials that were adjourned due to the court’s suspension of regular operations may be rebooked using the processes set out in this Notice. Timeframes for filing and serving trial briefs (civil matters), trial records, and trial certificates have been amended for TMCs and trials scheduled to begin on or before July 24, 2020. Judicial Management Conferences may be booked online starting May 19, 2020. For more information, click here.
May 13, 2020
COVID-19 NOTICE NO. 19 - RESUMPTION OF SOME COURT OPERATIONS - CIVIL AND FAMILY MATTERS
The Court is resuming some operations. This notice sets out what matters will be phased in over the coming weeks and what matters continue to be adjourned. Trials scheduled on or before June 5, 2020 are adjourned, unless the Court otherwise directs. All civil and family trials scheduled to begin on or after June 8, 2020 will resume, unless the Court otherwise directs. However, jury selections and trials continue to be suspended up to and including September 7, 2020. As of June 1, 2020, judicial case conferences, trial management conferences and chambers matters already scheduled for hearing on the trial list will resume by telephone. The balance of scheduled matters remain adjourned until further notice. This Notice also provides direction regarding timelines under the Supreme Court Civil Rules and the Supreme Court Family Rules that had been suspended. For more information, click here.
May 7, 2020
COVID-19 NOTICE NO. 18 - SUSPENSION OF ALL REGULAR COURT OPERATIONS - CRIMINAL PROCEEDINGS (REVISED MAY 11, 2020)
Effective March 19, 2020 and until further notice, the Honourable Chief Justice Hinkson suspended regular operations of the Supreme Court of British Columbia at all of its locations to protect the health and safety of court users and to help contain the spread of COVID-19. This updated Notice includes some changes to the Court's operations in respect of criminal proceedings including that summary conviction and traffic ticket appeals will be scheduled by telephone where possible and appropriate, and that jury selections are cancelled up to and including September 7, 2020. For more details click here.
May 7, 2020
COVID-19 NOTICE NO. 17 - NOTICE TO MEDIA REGARDING ACCESS TO COURT PROCEEDINGS
The Supreme Court of British Columbia recognizes the critical importance of the open court principle, including in the exceptional circumstances related to the COVID-19 pandemic. The Supreme Court has taken steps to ensure that the media continue to have options for observing and reporting on court proceedings during this unprecedented time. For more information please click here.
May 6, 2020
BOOKING APPLICATIONS BY WRITTEN SUBMISSIONS
As provided in COVID-19 Notice No. 14 - Application by Written Submissions, booking for applications by written submissions can only be done online. The online booking form is now available here.
May 4, 2020
COVID-19 NOTICE NO. 16 - CRIMINAL PROCEEDINGS - COVID PRE-TRIAL CONFERENCES (CV PTC)
Effective Monday, May 4, 2020, and during the remainder of the suspension of the Court’s normal operations, pre-trial conferences will be held by telephone for criminal cases where the trial was unable to proceed because of the suspension, or is at risk of being adjourned because of indirect effects of the suspension. These “CV PTCs” have the specific purpose of advancing or resolving adjourned and at-risk cases as much as possible and appropriate. To view the Notice, click here. To view the CV PTC Counsel form, click here.
May 4, 2020
COVID-19 NOTICE NO. 15 - SUSPENSION OF ALL REGULAR COURT OPERATIONS - INSOLVENCY MATTERS
The Supreme Court of British Columbia has modified its Request for Urgent Hearing - Insolvency process to remove the requirement to submit draft materials. For the revised Notice, click here.
April 27, 2020
COVID-19 NOTICE NO. 14 - EXPANSION OF CIVIL AND FAMILY MATTERS - APPLICATIONS BY WRITTEN SUBMISSIONS
To facilitate the just, speedy and inexpensive determination of proceedings during the suspension of the Court’s regular operations, pursuant to Ministerial Order No. M121 the Chief Justice has expanded the scope of applications that can proceed by way of written submissions. To see the order of the Chief Justice, click here. For more details about bringing an application by written submissions, click here. Booking for applications by written submissions will only be available online. The Court will announce when online booking is available, expected by May 8, 2020.
April 24, 2020
COVID-19 NOTICE NO. 13 - EXPANSION OF CIVIL AND FAMILY MATTERS - TELEPHONE CONFERENCE HEARINGS (REVISED)
Effective April 20, 2020, in an effort to expand the civil and family matters that can be dealt with at this time, the Court has established procedures to allow parties to schedule a COVID-19 Telephone Conference Hearing (TCH) for matters that are not urgent or essential (as specified in the Court’s April 16, 2020 Notice and that were scheduled for hearing during the Suspension Period. At each TCH, parties will be limited to addressing one disputed issue or to bringing forward issues on which they have consent. This updated Notice (revised April 24, 2020) includes information about scheduling a TCH when a judge or master is seized of or assigned to a matter, and clarifies that an affidavit filed for a TCH must not exceed 10 pages, inclusive of exhibits. For more details click here.
April 24, 2020
COVID-19 NOTICE NO. 12 - E-FILING AND DESK ORDER APPLICATIONS (FAMILY AND CIVIL)
The Supreme Court of British Columbia encourages the use of e-filing for certain family and civil desk order applications. For more information click here.
April 21, 2020
COVID-19 NOTICE NO. 10 - E-FILING AND BANKRUPTCY DESK ORDER APPLICATIONS
On April 21, 2020, the Supreme Court of British Columbia issued a Notice to the Profession, Public and Media encouraging the use of e-filing for bankruptcy desk order applications. For more information click here.
April 16, 2020
COVID-19 NOTICE NO. 8 - SUSPENSION OF ALL REGULAR COURT OPERATIONS - CIVIL AND FAMILY MATTERS (Revised April 16, 2020)
Effective March 19, 2020 and until further notice, the Honourable Chief Justice Hinkson suspended regular operations of the Supreme Court of British Columbia at all of its locations to protect the health and safety of court users and to help contain the spread of COVID-19. This updated Notice includes some changes to the Court's operations in respect of civil and family proceedings including the adjournment of civil and family matters with scheduled appearances up to and including May 29, 2020 and the cancellation of jury selections up to and including July 3, 2020. For more details click here.
Please note that, with the resumption of chambers as set out in COVID-19 Notice No. 28 dated June 5, 2020, as of June 8, 2020 the Request for Urgent Hearing process is ONLY available for urgent applications on short notice (“short leave applications”) under Rule 8-5 of the Supreme Court Civil Rules and Rule 10-9 of the Supreme Court Family Rules. Other applications should be made through regular chambers.
April 16, 2020
COVID-19 NOTICE NO. 7 - SUSPENSION OF ALL REGULAR COURT OPERATIONS - CRIMINAL PROCEEDINGS (Revised April 16, 2020)
Effective March 19, 2020 and until further notice, the Honourable Chief Justice Hinkson suspended regular operations of the Supreme Court of British Columbia at all of its locations to protect the health and safety of court users and to help contain the spread of COVID-19. This updated Notice includes some changes to the Court's operations in respect of criminal proceedings including, with certain exceptions, the adjournment of criminal matters with scheduled appearances up to and including May 29,2020, and the cancellation of jury selections up to and including July 3, 2020. For more details click here.
April 2, 2020
SUPREME COURT OF BRITISH COLUMBIA NOTICE - SUSPENSION OF ALL REGULAR COURT OPERATIONS - INSOLVENCY MATTERS
Effective March 19, 2020 and until further notice, the Honourable Chief Justice Hinkson has suspended regular operations of the Supreme Court of British Columbia at all of its locations to protect the health and safety of court users and to help contain the spread of COVID-19. This updated Notice includes some changes to the Court's operations in respect of insolvency proceedings effective April 2, 2020. For more details click here.
March 30, 2020
COVID-19 NOTICE NO. 3 - APPLICATIONS UNDER S. 490 OF THE CRIMINAL CODE (FURTHER DETENTION OF THINGS SEIZED)
During the COVID-19 health emergency, the Supreme Court is implementing new procedures for s. 490 applications. For more details, click here.
March 30, 2020
SUPREME COURT OF BRITISH COLUMBIA NOTICE - SUSPENSION OF ALL REGULAR COURT OPERATIONS - CIVIL AND FAMILY MATTERS (Revised March 30, 2020)
Effective March 19, 2020 and until further notice, the Honourable Chief Justice Hinkson has suspended regular operations of the Supreme Court of British Columbia at all of its locations to protect the health and safety of court users and to help contain the spread of COVID-19. This updated Notice includes some changes to the Court's operations in respect of civil and family proceedings effective March 30, 2020. For more details click here.
March 30, 2020
SUPREME COURT OF BRITISH COLUMBIA NOTICE - SUSPENSION OF ALL REGULAR COURT OPERATIONS - CRIMINAL PROCEEDINGS (Revised March 30, 2020)
Effective March 19, 2020 and until further notice, the Honourable Chief Justice Hinkson has suspended regular operations of the Supreme Court of British Columbia at all of its locations to protect the health and safety of court users and to help contain the spread of COVID-19. This updated Notice includes some changes to the Court's operations in respect of criminal proceedings effective March 30, 2020. For more details click here.
March 27, 2020
COVID-19 NOTICE NO. 2 - NOTICE TO THE PUBLIC REGARDING AFFIDAVITS FOR USE IN COURT PROCEEDINGS
During the COVID-19 pandemic, the Court of Appeal for British Columbia, the Supreme Court of British Columbia, and the Provincial Court of British Columbia will make accommodations for the commissioning of affidavits in circumstances where it is not possible or is medically unsafe for the deponent to attend before a commissioner. All three levels of court will follow the same process, set out in the directives linked below:
Court of Appeal for British Columbia
Supreme Court of British Columbia
Provincial Court of British Columbia
March 27, 2020
COVID-19 NOTICE NO. 2 - NOTICE TO THE PUBLIC REGARDING AFFIDAVITS FOR USE IN COURT PROCEEDINGS
During the COVID-19 pandemic, the Court of Appeal for British Columbia, the Supreme Court of British Columbia, and the Provincial Court of British Columbia will make accommodations for the commissioning of affidavits in circumstances where it is not possible or is medically unsafe for the deponent to attend before a commissioner. All three levels of court will follow the same process, set out in the directives.
March 27, 2020
COVID-19 NOTICE NO. 1 - CHANGES TO COURTROOM PROCEDURES FOR IN-PERSON COURT APPEARANCES
In order to protect the health and safety of court users, court staff and others and to help limit the spread of COVID-19, new procedures are being implemented for hearings where there counsel, parties, media and the public are attending in person. For more details click here.
COVID-19 ANNOUNCEMENTS
April 30, 2020
MESSAGE FROM THE CHIEF JUSTICE OF THE SUPREME COURT OF BRITISH COLUMBIA
Following the suspension of regular operations, the Court has worked to ensure urgent and essential matters are heard, and to expand the types of hearings that can proceed during this time. The Court continues to explore ways to use technology to conduct hearings, receive evidence and allow access to its proceedings for the public and media. For more information about these efforts and the challenges in making them a reality, please click here.
April 21, 2020
CERTIFICATES OF PENDING LITIGATION, CERTIFICATES OF JUDGMENT, AND CERTIFICATES OF COMMENCEMENT OF COMMENCEMENT OF PROCEEDINGS
As of April 17, 2020 and for the duration of the suspension of regular operations at the Supreme Court of British Columbia, Certificates of Pending Litigation, Certificates of Judgment, and Certificates of Commencement of Proceedings may be transmitted electronically. For more information click here.
April 21, 2020
USE OF BASIC BCeID FOR E-FILING
As of April 20, 2020 and for the duration of the suspension of regular operations at the Supreme Court of British Columbia, parties may e-file documents using Basic BCeID. For more information click here.
April 17, 2020
AMENDMENT TO THREE COURTS' POLICY ON USE OF ELECTRONIC DEVICES IN COURTROOMS
The Three Courts’ Policy on Use of Electronic Devices in Courtrooms has been amended to confirm the Policy’s application to court proceedings conducted remotely. The amended Policy may be found here.
April 6, 2020
MESSAGE FROM THE SUPREME COURT OF BRITISH COLUMBIA
The Supreme Court of British Columbia has taken steps to protect the health and safety of court users and staff and prevent the spread of COVID-19, including by suspending regular operations during the outbreak. The Court continues to hear urgent and essential matters and to receive and process filed documents for all of its cases. Courtrooms are open to the public subject to physical/social distancing requirements. For more information about the reasons for the suspension of regular operations, please click here.
March 21, 2020
COURTHOUSE CLOSURES - UPDATED
The Chilliwack Law Courts and the Nanaimo Law Courts will reopen on March 23, 2020.
The Campbell River Law Courts will remain closed until April 6, 2020.
For more information click here.
March 18, 2020
SUPREME COURT OF BRITISH COLUMBIA - CLOSURE OF COURTHOUSES AND SUSPENSION OF ALL REGULAR COURT OPERATIONS
As part of the Court's efforts to prevent the spread of COVID-19, the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of British Columbia has ordered the suspension of all regular operations, effective immediately and until further notice. It is a constitutional imperative that the courts must remain open; however, in light of the extraordinary circumstances during the current public health emergency, members of the public who do not have urgent business before the court are discouraged from attending any courthouse. Any matter scheduled for an appearance today shall proceed unless the presiding judge orders otherwise. All regular hearings scheduled after today are adjourned indefinitely.
Adjustments will be made to accommodate the hearing of urgent matters. Further details concerning urgent and emergency matters and the running of timelines will follow shortly.
March 13, 2020
BC COURTS' RESPONSE TO COVID-19
In response to the rapidly evolving situation with COVID-19, the Court of Appeal for British Columbia, the Supreme Court of British Columbia and the Provincial Court of British Columbia ("Courts") have developed a coordinated approach to manage impacts of the virus on the operations of the Courts. For more details click here.
March 12, 2020
NOVEL CORONAVIRUS OUTBREAK (COVID-19)
British Columbia is experiencing an increase in cases of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) and it is anticipated that the virus will continue to spread. The Court of Appeal for British Columbia and the Supreme Court of British Columbia continue to monitor information and take guidance from public health officials and are taking steps to try to ensure the safety and health of the members of the public who interact with the Court. READ MORE