APRIL - JUNE 2024

June 19, 2024
WELCOMING CEREMONY - JUSTICE GREENWOOD, JUSTICE GILTROW, AND ASSOCIATE JUDGE ROBINSON

A Welcoming Ceremony for Justice Greenwood, Justice Giltrow, and Associate Judge Robinson will be held on Friday, July 12, at the Vancouver Law Courts in Courtroom 55 at 4:15 p.m. Members of the public are invited to attend the Welcoming Ceremony.

June 18, 2024
JUDICIAL TRANSFERS

The Supreme Court of British Columbia announces the following judicial transfers:

• The Honourable Brenda Brown to Abbotsford effective May 29, 2024 from New Westminster.
• The Honourable Mr. Justice Gary P. Weatherill to Vernon effective May 6, 2024 from Kelowna.

June 10, 2024
JUDICIAL RETIREMENT - THE HONOURABLE JUSTICE CAROL ROSS

The Honourable Justice Carol J. Ross retired from the Supreme Court of British Columbia at Vancouver on June 10, 2024. Justice Ross was appointed to the Supreme Court in 2001.

May 27, 2024
JUDICIAL APPOINTMENTS

The Supreme Court of British Columbia welcomes the appointments of Justice Judith E. Hoffman, Justice Shannon P. Ramsay, Justice Edlyn Laurie and Justice Alison M. Latimer to Vancouver, and Justice Lisa J. Hamilton to New Westminster. For more information please see the press release issued by the Department of Justice. Public welcoming ceremonies will be held at a date to be scheduled and information about the ceremonies will be posted on the Court's website.

May 27, 2024
NOTICE TO COUNSEL - OFFICIAL LANGUAGE RIGHTS OF ACCUSED PERSONS

The recent decision of the Supreme Court of Canada in R. v. Tayo Tompouba, 2024 SCC 16, requires that the Court review its existing case load and ensure that each accused person has been properly informed of their official language rights under s. 530 of the Criminal Code. In the coming weeks, the Court will be arranging for appearances by the accused person in all criminal cases that have not yet proceeded to trial. The accused person will be asked to appear (in person or by video) even where a counsel designation is on file.

These appearances will show on the court list as "s. 530 hearings", and will be for the purpose of informing accused persons of their s. 530 rights, and confirming their choice of the official language of the trial.

We ask for the criminal bar's cooperation and patience in this process of ensuring that the language rights of all accused persons are respected.

If you have any questions or concerns about the scheduling of these appearances, please contact the appropriate scheduling office.

May 13, 2024
FORT NELSON COURTHOUSE CLOSURE - MONDAY, MAY 13, 2024

The Fort Nelson courthouse and registry will be closed as of Monday, May 13, 2024 as a result of the evacuation due to the Parker Lake wildfire.

While the Supreme Court does not sit in Fort Nelson, the registry accepts Supreme Court filings. Individuals in Fort Nelson needing to file materials are encouraged to use Court Services Online or file in the Fort St. John registry instead.

As this situation evolves, updates will be posted on the Supreme Court website. The Supreme Court is co-located with the Provincial Court in Fort Nelson. 

For information about Provincial Court operations in Fort Nelson, please contact the Provincial Court.

May 7, 2024
JUDICIAL RETIREMENT - THE HONOURABLE CHIEF JUSTICE CHRISTOPHER E. HINKSON

The Honourable Chief Justice Christopher E. Hinkson retired from the Supreme Court of British Columbia on May 7, 2024. Chief Justice Hinkson was appointed as Chief Justice of the Supreme Court on November 7, 2013 after having served as a Justice of the Court of Appeal for British Columbia from 2010-2013 and prior to that as Justice of the Supreme Court of British Columbia from 2007-2010. A strong, principled and formidable defender of the importance of the rule of law, the independence of the judiciary and access to justice for all British Columbians, Chief Justice Hinkson also made significant contributions to the administration of justice across the country. The Supreme Court extends its deepest gratitude to Chief Justice Hinkson for his many years of service to and leadership of the court and wishes him the very best for a long and happy retirement.

May 3, 2024
CALL AND ADMISSION CEREMONY - FRIDAY, MAY 10, 2024

This event will take place in the Great Hall at the Vancouver Law Courts at 9:30 am and 1:30 pm. The ceremony will be conducted by The Honourable Justice Joel R. Groves in the morning and the Honourable Justice Michael G. Thomas in the afternoon.

April 22, 2024
JUDICIAL RETIREMENT - THE HONOURABLE JUSTICE BETTON

The Supreme Court of British Columbia announces that the Honourable Justice Betton retired from the Supreme Court of British Columbia at Vernon on April 19, 2024. Justice Betton was appointed to the Supreme Court in 2011.

March 28, 2024
SUPREME COURT ANNUAL REPORT 2023

The Annual Report of the Supreme Court of British Columbia covering the activities of the Court for 2023 is now available.

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