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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.
JANUARY - DECEMBER 2022 (COVID-19 ANNOUNCEMENTS)
December 15, 2022
TRIAL MANAGEMENT CONFERENCES TO RETURN IN PERSON ON FEBRUARY 1, 2023
Effective February 1, 2023, trial management conferences will resume in person. Until that date, trial management conferences will continue by telephone or Teams audio pursuant to Rule 23.1-1(1) of the Supreme Court Civil Rules and Rule 22.1-1(1) of the Supreme Court Family Rules. For more information, click here. Chief Justice Hinkson has rescinded COVID-19 Orders No. 010 and No. 011 and made a related change to COVID-19 Notice No. 54 - Masters Chambers Pilot.
August 24, 2022
COVID-19 NOTICE NO. 55 - RESUMPTION OF CIVIL JURY TRIALS
The final day of the Province’s temporary suspension of civil jury trials is October 7, 2022, after which civil jury trials will resume. For more information, please see COVID-19 Notice No. 55.
August 18, 2022
COVID-19 NOTICE NO. 51 - METHOD OF ATTENDANCE FOR CRIMINAL PROCEEDINGS
COVID-19 Notice No. 51 replaces COVID-19 Notice No. 48 and provides direction for the method of attendance in criminal proceedings.
August 15, 2022
REVISIONS TO COVID -19 NOTICES 50, AND 52, RESCINDING OF COVID-19 NOTICE NO. 38
As the result of changes taking effect August 15, 2022, the Court has revised several of its COVID-19 Notices and rescinded COVID-19 Notice No. 38 concerning criminal jury trials, which has been replaced by COVID-19 Notice No. 53.
Effective August 15, 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. Please see updated COVID Notice No. 50 for more information.
The Masters Chambers Pilot, which also commences August 15, 2022, provides a means by which counsel can submit electronic chambers application records in PDF format through Court Services Online, only for matters 30 minutes or less in masters chambers at the following registries: Campbell River, Courtenay, Duncan, Nanaimo, Port Alberni, Powell River, and Victoria. See COVID-19 Notice No. 54 for more information. The Masters Chambers Pilot does not change the default manner of attendance as set out in COVID Notice No. 50.
August 15, 2022
REVISIONS TO COVID-19 NOTICES NO. 42, 50, AND 52, RESCINDING OF COVID-19 NOTICE NO. 38
As the result of changes taking effect August 15, 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-19 Notice No. 53.
Effective August 15, 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. Please see updated COVID Notice No. 50 for more information.
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.
The Masters Chambers Pilot, which also commences August 15, 2022, provides a means by which counsel can submit electronic chambers application records in PDF format through Court Services Online, only for matters 30 minutes or less in masters chambers at the following registries: Campbell River, Courtenay, Duncan, Nanaimo, Port Alberni, Powell River, and Victoria. See COVID-19 Notice No. 54 for more information. The Masters Chambers Pilot does not change the default manner of attendance as set out in COVID Notice No. 50.
July 15, 2022
COVID-19 NOTICE NO. 54 - MASTERS CHAMBERS PILOT STARTING AUGUST 15, 2022
As set out in COVID-19 Notice No. 54, the Masters Chamber Pilot, commencing on August 15, 2022, will provide a means by which counsel can submit electronic chambers application records in PDF format through Court Services Online. Initially the Pilot will be available for matters 30 minutes or less at registries on Vancouver Island (Campbell River, Courtenay, Duncan, Nanaimo, Port Alberni, and Victoria) and Powell River. If the Pilot is successful, it will be expanded to other areas of the province and to longer matters. Detailed instructions about working with PDFs can be found here.
June 22, 2022
COVID-19 NOTICE NO. 53 - CRIMINAL JURY TRIALS AFTER AUGUST 15, 2022
Effective August 15, 2022, there will be changes to criminal jury proceedings in accordance with an incremental return to pre-pandemic practice. Please click here for more information.
June 22, 2022
CHANGES TO MANNER OF ATTENDANCE - REGULAR CIVIL AND FAMILY CHAMBERS IN PERSON AS OF AUGUST 15, 2022
Effective August 15, 2022, the Court will return to hearing regular chambers matters in person. Please see updated COVID Notice No. 50 for more information. Until that date, the processes put in place by COVID Notice No. 42 will continue. After August 15, 2022, only Trial Management Conferences will continue to be held remotely by default, using audio (telephone/MS Teams audio).
May 3, 2022
COVID-19 NOTICE NO. 31 - SEALED BID PROCEDURES FOR FORECLOSURES AND OTHER MATTERS INVOLVING SALES OF LAND
The Court has modified the timeframes in the bid process. For more information, please see COVID-19 Notice No. 31.
April 11, 2022
COVID-19 NOTICE NO. 42 - CHAMBERS APPLICATIONS BY MICROSOFT TEAMS VIDEO AND IN PERSON
Effective April 11, 2022, the default manner of appearance for most civil and family proceedings will be in person. 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. Additionally, on April 11, 2022, the Chief Justice issued COVID-19 Order No. 009 which revokes previous orders and authorizes regular chambers hearings to be heard by video.
April 11, 2022
COVID-19 NOTICE NO. 31 - SEALED BID PROCEDURES FOR FORECLOSURES AND OTHER MATTERS INVOLVING SALES OF LAND
Effective April 11, 2022, the deadline for submitting a sealed bid in foreclosure proceedings has been modified. For more information about the sealed bid process and the manner of appearance in foreclosure matters, please see COVID-19 Notice No. 31.
March 31, 2022
LIFTING OF COURTHOUSE PANDEMIC MEASURES AND CHANGES TO MANNER OF ATTENDANCE
Effective April 11, 2022, 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 April 11, 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
March 23, 2022
COVID-19 NOTICE NO. 45 - RESUMPTION IN-PERSON TRIALS AND OTHER PROCEEDINGS MARCH 28 - APRIL 1 AND APRIL 4-8, 2022
COVID-19 Notice No. 45 has been updated. In-person civil and family proceedings scheduled to begin or continue during the week of March 28 - April 1, 2022 or April 4-8, 2022 are proceeding as scheduled. New or continuing criminal proceedings including criminal jury trials and criminal jury selections scheduled to begin or continue during the week of March 28 - April 1, 2022 or April 4-8, 2022 are proceeding as scheduled.
March 10, 2022
FACE MASKS REQUIRED IN COURTHOUSES AND COURTROOMS
Until further notice, all people attending courthouses in British Columbia are required to wear a face mask, including in entrances, lobbies, waiting areas, registries, hallways, stairways, restrooms and elevators. In addition, people are required to wear a face mask inside courtrooms unless directed otherwise by the presiding judge, justice, master or registrar.
A face mask must be worn in a manner that covers your nose and mouth.
If you do not have a face mask, Sheriffs will provide one when you enter the courthouse.
March 9, 2022
COVID-19 NOTICE NO. 45 - RESUMPTION IN-PERSON TRIALS AND OTHER PROCEEDINGS MARCH 14 - 18 AND MARCH 21-25, 2022
COVID-19 Notice No. 45 has been updated. In-person civil and family proceedings scheduled to begin or continue during the week of March 14 - 18, 2022 or March 21 - 25, 2022 are proceeding as scheduled. New or continuing criminal proceedings including criminal jury trials and criminal jury selections scheduled to begin or continue during the week of March 14 - 18, 2022 or March 21 - 25, 2022 are proceeding as scheduled.
March 9, 2022
COVID-19 NOTICE NO. 45 - RESUMPTION IN-PERSON TRIALS AND OTHER PROCEEDINGS MARCH 14 - 18 AND MARCH 21-25, 2022
COVID-19 Notice No. 45 has been updated. In-person civil and family proceedings scheduled to begin or continue during the week of March 14 - 18, 2022 or March 21 - 25, 2022 are proceeding as scheduled. New or continuing criminal proceedings including criminal jury trials and criminal jury selections scheduled to begin or continue during the week of March 14 - 18, 2022 or March 21 - 25, 2022 are proceeding as scheduled.
March 2, 2022
COVID-19 NOTICE NO. 45 - RESUMPTION IN-PERSON TRIALS AND OTHER PROCEEDINGS MARCH 7 - MARCH 11, 2022
COVID-19 Notice No. 45 has been updated. In-person civil and family proceedings scheduled to begin or continue during the week of March 7 - March 11, 2022 are proceeding as scheduled. New or continuing criminal proceedings including criminal jury trials and criminal jury selections scheduled to begin or continue during the week of March 7 - March 11, 2022 are proceeding as scheduled.
February 23, 2022
COVID-19 NOTICE NO. 45 - RESUMPTION IN-PERSON TRIALS AND OTHER PROCEEDINGS FEBRUARY 28 - MARCH 4, 2022
COVID-19 Notice No. 45 has been updated. In-person civil and family proceedings scheduled to begin or continue during the week of February 28 - March 4, 2022 are proceeding as scheduled. New or continuing criminal proceedings including criminal jury trials and criminal jury selections scheduled to begin or continue during the week of February 28 - March 4, 2022 are proceeding as scheduled.
February 16, 2022
COVID-19 NOTICE NO. 45 - RESUMPTION IN-PERSON TRIALS AND OTHER PROCEEDINGS FEBRUARY 22-25, 2022
COVID-19 Notice No. 45 has been updated. In-person civil and family proceedings scheduled to begin or continue during the week of February 22-25, 2022 are proceeding as scheduled. New or continuing criminal matters including criminal jury trials scheduled to begin or continue during the week of February 22-25, 2022 are proceeding as scheduled. Criminal jury selections scheduled for the week of February 22-25, 2022 are proceeding as scheduled.
February 9, 2022
COVID-19 NOTICE NO. 45 - RESUMPTION IN-PERSON TRIALS AND OTHER PROCEEDINGS FEBRUARY 14-18, 2022
COVID-19 Notice No. 45 has been updated. In-person civil and family proceedings scheduled to begin or continue during the week of February 7, 2022 are proceeding as scheduled. New or continuing non-jury criminal matters scheduled to begin or continue during the week of February 7, 2022 are proceeding as scheduled. Criminal jury selections scheduled for the week of February 7-11, 2022 are proceeding as scheduled.
February 3, 2022
COVID-19 NOTICE NO. 48 - SOME TYPES OF CRIMINAL PROCEEDINGS NOW BY VIDEOCONFERENCE INSTEAD OF TELEPHONE, FEBRUARY 7, 2022
As of Monday, February 7, 2022, some types of criminal proceedings, which have been heard by telephone or Teams audio during the COVID pandemic, will be heard by Teams video unless the Court otherwise orders or directs. See COVID-19 Notice No. 48 for more information. Participants can expect to receive an email from the court registry at approximately 8:45 a.m. on the date scheduled for the Teams video hearing, providing a video link. Participants with scheduled hearings of a type identified in Notice. No. 48 should ensure the court registry has their current email addresses. Participants attending by video are advised to also review COVID Notice No. 47- General Requirements for Microsoft Teams Video Hearings.
February 2, 2022
COVID-19 NOTICE NO. 45 - RESUMPTION IN-PERSON TRIALS AND OTHER PROCEEDINGS FEBRUARY 7-11, 2022
COVID-19 Notice No. 45 has been updated. In-person civil and family proceedings scheduled to begin or continue during the week of February 7, 2022 are proceeding as scheduled. New or continuing non-jury criminal matters scheduled to begin or continue during the week of February 7, 2022 are proceeding as scheduled. Criminal jury selections scheduled for the week of February 7-11, 2022 are adjourned.
January 28, 2022
COVID-19 NOTICE NO. 47 - COVID-19: GENERAL REQUIREMENTS FOR MICROSOFT TEAMS VIDEO HEARINGS
COVID 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.
January 28, 2022
COVID-19 NOTICE NO. 47 – COVID-19: GENERAL REQUIREMENTS FOR MICROSOFT TEAMS VIDEO HEARINGS
COVID 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.
January 28, 2022
COVID-19 NOTICE NO. 46 - COVID-19: CIVIL AND FAMILY PROCEEDINGS BY MICROSOFT TEAMS VIDEO - JCCs, JANUARY 31, 2022
As of January 31, 2022, Judicial Case Conferences (JCCs), which have been heard by telephone or Teams audio during the COVID pandemic, will be heard by Teams video. See COVID Notice No. 46 for more information. Participants must provide email addresses when submitting Form F19 and should contact the registry to do so if their Form F19 has already been submitted. Participants can expect to receive two emails about their upcoming JCC: one the evening before their JCC date at approximately 5:30, and one the morning of the JCC at approximately 8:45 providing a video link. Participants attending by video are advised to also review COVID Notice No. 47 - General Requirements for Microsoft Teams Video Hearings.
January 28, 2022
COVID-19 NOTICE NO. 42 - CHAMBERS APPLICATIONS BY MICROSOFT TEAMS VIDEO
COVID-19 Notice No. 42 - Chambers Applications by Microsoft Teams Video has been updated to reflect a new automated method for notifying counsel/parties of their hearing dates. As of January 31, counsel of record should expect to receive two automated emails prior to their chambers hearing: one at 5:30 p.m. the day prior to the hearing as a reminder, and one at 8:45 the morning of their hearing with the Microsoft Teams Video link. Because emails will only go to the email address counsel of record provided on the originating filed document, counsel of record are responsible for forwarding the email with the details of the hearing and link if co-counsel will be attending the hearing.
January 26, 2022
COVID-19 NOTICE NO. 45 - RESUMPTION IN-PERSON TRIALS AND OTHER PROCEEDINGS JANUARY 31 - FEBRUARY 4, 2022
COVID-19 Notice No. 45 has been updated. In-person civil and family proceedings scheduled to begin or continue during the week of January 31, 2022 are proceeding as scheduled. New or continuing non-jury criminal mattersscheduled to begin or continue during the week of January 24, 2022 are proceeding as scheduled. Criminal jury selections scheduled for the week of January 31 - February 4, 2022 are adjourned.
January 19, 2022
COVID-19 NOTICE NO. 45 - RESUMPTION IN-PERSON TRIALS AND OTHER PROCEEDINGS JANUARY 24-28, 2022
COVID-19 Notice No. 45 has been updated. In-person civil and family proceedings scheduled to begin or continue during the week of January 24, 2022 are proceeding as scheduled. New or continuing non-jury criminal mattersscheduled to begin or continue during the week of January 24, 2022 are proceeding as scheduled.
January 12, 2022
COVID-19 NOTICE NO. 45 - ADJOURNMENT OF IN-PERSON TRIALS AND OTHER PROCEEDINGS JANUARY 17-21, 2022
COVID-19 Notice No. 45 has been updated to adjourn in-person civil and family proceedings scheduled to begin or continue during the week of January 17, 2022. New or continuing non-jury criminal matters scheduled to begin or continue during the week of January 17, 2022 are proceeding as scheduled. The adjournments of in-person civil and family proceedings are in addition to adjournments already announced for the weeks of January 4-7 and January 10-14, 2022.
January 5, 2022
COVID-19 NOTICE NO. 45 - ADJOURNMENT OF IN-PERSON TRIALS AND OTHER PROCEEDINGS JANUARY 10-14, 2022
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 in addition to adjournments already announced for the week of January 4-7, 2022.