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Print page- I would like to watch a trial. Are the courts open to the public?
- I would like to attend court to watch a particular trial. How can I find out when the case is scheduled to be heard?
- I would like to attend a proceeding but I am unable to come to the courthouse to watch in person. How may I follow the proceeding remotely?
- I would like to bring a group of students to the courthouse in Vancouver. How is this done?
- What is the Assize System?
- Can I bring a camera or a recording device to court with me?
- I have just received a jury summons. Where can I find information about serving on a jury?
- I would like to sue someone. What do I do?
- I have been served with a Notice of Civil Claim? What do I do?
- I would like to bring an application in my case. How do I do this?
- I have been issued with a subpoena for a date that I cannot attend. What can I do?
- I cannot afford to travel to the courthouse where my hearing is being held. Is there an alternative?
- I need some special equipment for my trial/hearing. Who do I contact?
- How do I get a transcript of my hearing?
- I submitted a Request to Appear. I want to confirm that it was received.
- Are reasons for judgment published on the website?
- A judge gave oral reasons last week, but I cannot find them on the website?
- How do I get a transcript of oral reasons for judgment?
- I have transcribed oral judgment that is not on the website. How do I request that the oral judgment be posted on the court's website?
- A judge made an order that I think is wrong. How can I have him or her reconsider it?
- How do I appeal a decision to the Court of Appeal?
- How can I tell whether a judgment has been appealed?
- Where do I file a summary conviction appeal and what rules do I follow?
- I'm self-represented, how can I get some help?
- How do I call or fax someone at the Court registry?
- What time to hearings start in the Court of Appeal?
- When is my hearing and how can I find out?
- Where are the Court of Appeal Courtrooms located?
- If I cannot get to my hearing, how can I adjourn (cancel) it?
- If I am a lawyer, when must I gown?
- I've missed a deadline or I'm late, what should I do?
ABOUT THE COURTS
I would like to watch a trial. Are the courts open to the public?
Yes, the courts are open to the public except in very rare circumstances. Hearings usually take place between 10 am and 4 pm. The daily hearing list for each Supreme Court location is posted on the court's website each morning and in the lobby of the courthouse. Court location information for the Supreme Court courthouses around the province is available here.
The Supreme Court posts a Daily Hearing List each morning with the proceedings scheduled for that day. Court Services Online posts a Daily Chambers List
The Court of Appeal posts a Weekly Hearing List and a daily Chambers List.
If you would like advance notice as to the scheduling of a particular trial, please contact the Scheduling Department at the courthouse where the proceeding will be heard. Contact information for the Supreme Court Scheduling departments is available here.
Court of Appeal:
The Court of Appeal broadcasts its appeal hearings on Zoom, with some exceptions. Zoom links are available on the Court’s Daily Hearing List here.
Supreme Court:
If you wish to attend a particular proceeding by telephone, you should send a request by email to The Honourable Bruce Cohen, Superior Courts Communications Officer, at SCJCommunicationsOfficer@bccourts.ca for consideration by the presiding judge or master as soon as possible in advance of the proceeding. The Court cannot guarantee telephone access for all court proceedings.
In the event that you are granted access to a proceeding by telephone, the following conditions apply:
- you must dial in to the proceeding by not later than 5 minutes prior to the time of commencement of the proceeding;
- you must not share the dial-in details with any person other than those authorized by the Court to dial in to the proceeding;
- your audio must be placed on mute at all times during the proceeding;
- the Policy on the Use of Electronic Devices in Courtrooms applies to your attendance at the proceeding, meaning audio recording is prohibited (except for accredited media as a means of verifying their notes);
- if you do not dial in by the set time, you will not be connected to the proceeding; and
- if your line becomes disconnected, the court will not disrupt the proceeding to reconnect you.
I would like to bring a group of students to the courthouse in Vancouver. How is this done?
The Justice Education Society has a program that includes court orientations, court watching, mock trials and sessions with judges, lawyers, sheriffs or other justice system professionals. Information about the program and how to arranged courthouse visits is available here.
In British Columbia, most court locations operate on the Assize System. The word assize is defined as a "periodic judicial proceeding". This means that hearings/trials are scheduled to be heard during a 1 or 2 week sitting of the court. The hearings/trials may be scheduled to start any day during that time frame. The Assize System is used in every court location in British Columbia with the exception of Vancouver and New Westminster.
Can I bring a camera or a recording device to court with me?
Court of Appeal
Any person may use an electronic device to transmit or receive text in a discreet manner that does not interfere with the proceedings. Cameras and video records are not permitted in the Court of Appeal. The three Courts Policy On Use of Electronic Devices in Courtrooms applies to virtual courtrooms and physical courtrooms.
Supreme Court
Members of the public are not entitled to use cameras or other audio or video recording devices. Lawyers and accredited journalists are permitted to use electronic devices to receive and transmit text in accordance with the Policy On Use of Electronic Devices in Courtrooms. Accredited journalists are also permitted to use electronic devices to audio record a proceeding for the sole purpose of verifying their notes, but not for broadcast or any other purpose.
I have just received a jury summons. Where can I find information about serving on a jury?
The Ministry of Attorney General has an informative website about jury duty.
CONTACTING THE COURT
How do I contact the court registry?
Contact information for the Supreme Court registries around the province is available here.
Contact information for the Court of Appeal registry is available here.
Can I access the court registry system online?
Yes, Court Services Online is BC's electronic court registry. It allows you to view Provincial Court and Supreme Court civil files and print documents (for a fee), and gives you access to daily court lists, and allows you to file civil court documents electronically. Court Services Online also provides access to Court of Appeal civil and criminal file information.
Can I send a letter or email to a judge?
Generally, no. People involved in court proceedings (parties, witnesses, counsel) should not send anything to a judge. Judges cannot enter into correspondence with persons regarding matters that are, have been, or may be before the courts. The reason for this is that justice must be done in open court by judges who are both independent and impartial. When making decisions judges may only take into account the evidence and submissions that have been presented by the parties and/or their counsel in court, unless leave has been granted for a party/parties to provide written submissions through Scheduling. This ensures that all matters taken into consideration are part of the official court record and that all parties have an opportunity to hear and respond to the evidence and submissions presented by others.
The Court of Appeal and the Supreme Court reserve the right not to respond to inappropriate communications made in person, by telephone, email, social media or in other written or digital form. Inappropriate communications include those that:
- contain evidence that ought to be put to the Court under oath orally in a proceeding or in an affidavit;
- contain argument that ought to be put to the Court in oral argument or in the form of a written submission;
- seek legal advice;
- seek comment from the Court regarding the merits of any decision made by an individual judge or division on appeal;
- complain about the conduct of counsel or parties;
- are not on notice, or copied, to opposing counsel or parties;
- provide irrelevant or vexatious documents to the Court;
- send broadcast emails (i.e., to a range of recipients, such as Court staff, parties, and third parties, even though the contents of the email are not directly relevant to the recipients); and/or
- contain rude or abusive language.
How do I communicate with the Court?
The appropriate way to communicate with the Court is on the record and through its formal processes (i.e., request that a hearing or conference be scheduled, file written materials with the Court as provided for in the applicable Rules of Court or as directed by the Court, and/or communicate orally during the proceedings). Only in limited and exceptional circumstances is it appropriate to write to the Court.
Court of Appeal
All correspondence with the Court of Appeal is through the Registrar's office. The address for the Registrar's Office is available here.
Supreme Court
PD-27 - Communicating with the Court sets out the procedures that must be followed in those limited circumstances when it may be necessary to correspond with the Court.
Can I invite a judge to speak at a conference?
Justices speak at events on subjects that will advance some aspect of the bar or the public's understanding of legal issues or the judicial process. If you would like to ask a judge to speak at an event, please send your request to the SCJ Communications Officer by email (SCJCommunicationsOfficer@bccourts.ca) with as much advance notice as possible. In the request, please provide information about the event including details about the organizer of the event, the date, location and time of the event and what topic(s) you would like the judge to address. The Courts cannot accommodate all requests for judges to speak at events.
COURT DOCUMENTS
Supreme Court forms can be downloaded from here.
Court of Appeal forms can be downloaded from here.
How do I file court documents?
You can file court document in a number of ways:
- in person at the registry
- by mail to the appropriate registry accompanied by payment of the applicable fees
- electronically through Court Services Online
- by fax for certain designation fax filing registries.
Court of Appeal
The Registrar’s Filing Directive provides instructions on how to file documents in the Court of Appeal. Specific instructions on formatting and content are found in the completion instructions. The Court of Appeal registry does not accept fax filings.
Supreme Court
Please consult see Supreme Court Civil Rule 23-2 and Supreme Court Family Rule 22-3 for the designated registries and PD-9 - Fax Filing Registries Fax Numbers for the fax numbers.
Do I have to pay to file court documents?
You do have to pay fees to file certain court documents. The fees are set by the government by regulation and are set out in Appendix C Schedule 1 of the Supreme Court Civil Rules, Appendix C Schedule 1 of the Supreme Court Family Rules and Schedule 2, Division 1 of the Court of Appeal Rules.
I want to get copies of documents in a court file. How do I do this?
In the Supreme Court, the Policy on Access to the Court Record sets out the Supreme Court's public access rules for court documents.
In the Court of Appeal, the Court of Appeal Record and Courtroom Access Policy sets out the public access rules for court documents in the Court of Appeal.
If the policies provide for you to have access to a document, you can either come to the registry in person (location information is available here) or you can obtain copies of some types of documents through Court Services Online. File search and photocopies fees will be charged.
LEGAL ADVICE AND INFORMATION
I need legal advice about my legal problem. How can I find a lawyer with expertise in this area?
Access Pro Bono operates the Lawyer Referral Service through which members of the public are able to speak to lawyers with expertise in various areas of law. For further information, please access their website.
Can I go to court without a lawyer?
Yes, you can go to court without a lawyer. It is strongly recommended that you obtain legal advice and assistance from a lawyer even if you intend to act on your own behalf. You can find information about taking your own case to court in the Self-Help Information section of this website. In that section, you will find links to guidebooks and other resources to help you find legal information and legal advice.
ABOUT YOUR CASE OR HEARING
I would like to sue someone. What do I do?
The court cannot provide you with legal advice. If you wish to represent yourself, it is recommended that you review the information available from the Self-Help Information link on the Superior Courts' main web page. One of the documents available from that site is a guidebook called Starting an Action by Notice of Civil Claim . However, it is recommended that you consult with a lawyer about your rights and possible outcomes of court proceedings as well as other options that may be used to solve your problem. Information about how to find a lawyer can be found in the Self-Help Information section of this website.
I have been served with a Notice of Civil Claim? What do I do?
The court cannot provide you with legal advice except to say that you should not ignore the documents that have been served on you. It is recommended that you consult with a lawyer about your legal rights and possible outcomes of court proceedings and where other options are available to solve the dispute. If you wish to represent yourself, it is recommended that you review the information available from the Self-Help Information link on the Superior Courts' main web page. One of the documents available from that site is a guidebook called Defending an Action Started by a Notice of Civil Claim Defending a Civil Proceeding in Supreme Court. However, Information about how to find a lawyer can be found in the Self-Help Information section of this website.
I would like to bring an application in my case. How do I do this?
You will have to make a chambers application. The following guidebook outlines the general procedure. The Self-Represented Litigant section of this website also provides useful information.
I have been issued with a subpoena for a date that I cannot attend. What can I do?
You should contact the party who issued the subpoena and explain why you cannot make an appearance on that date. If you cannot reach an agreement with the other party to change the date, you can bring an application to have the subpoena set aside or amended. An application will require a court appearance where you present your case to the judge and he or she will make a decision.
I cannot afford to travel to the courthouse where my hearing is being held. is there an alternative?
It is possible to attend some hearings by telephone or by video conference. An application can be made in writing to the court in advance of the hearing to request to appear by videoconferencing or telephone. You may be required to pay for the use of the necessary equipment. To make arrangements, contact the Supreme Court Scheduling department at the location where the hearing is scheduled to be heard. Contact information for the Supreme Court registries around the province is available here.
I need some special equipment for my trial/hearing. Who do I contact?
You should contact Supreme Court Scheduling in the registry where your proceeding is scheduled to be heard. You should also contact Court Services staff to inquire about other arrangements. Contact information for the Supreme Court registries around the province is available here.
How do I get a transcript of my hearing?
All court proceedings are recorded, but transcripts are only prepared upon request and upon payment of the appropriate fee. If you would like to obtain a transcript of a proceeding, contact the In Court Technology department at your courthouse. Contact information for the Supreme Court registries around the province is available here .
I submitted a Request to Appear. How do I confirm that it was received?
Contact the Supreme Court Scheduling department at the courthouse where you filed the Request to Appear.
Contact information for the Supreme Court registries around the province is available here.
REASONS FOR JUDGMENT
Are reasons for judgment published on the website?
Supreme Court
Most, but not all written reasons for judgment are published on the website approximately 24 hours after they are given to the parties. You can find more information about Supreme Court judgments here.
Court of Appeal
Written reasons for judgment are published on the courts' website shortly after they have been given to the parties. You can find more information about Court of Appeal judgments here.
A judge gave oral reasons last week, but I cannot find them on the website?
Court of Appeal
Not all oral reasons for judgment are posted. Oral chambers judgments and reasons often involve simple procedural matters. Only those reasons that are of precedential value are published. You can find more information about Court of Appeal judgments here.
Supreme Court
The Supreme Court does not publish oral reasons for judgment on the website unless a transcript of the oral reasons has been prepared and the judge, master or registrar who gave the reasons directs that they be published on the website.
How do I get a transcript of oral reasons for judgment?
You may obtain a transcript of oral reasons, for a fee, by submitting a written request to the registry from which the judgment was delivered. The request should be directed to the attention of In-Court Technologies and must include the action number, style of cause, date of judgment, and the name of the presiding justice, master or registrar.
Send your request and a copy of the judgment by email to the Supreme Court Judgment Office: sc.publishing@bccourts.ca.
APPEALS
A judge made an order that I think is wrong. How can I have him or her reconsider it?
If the judge has made a final decision in your case, your usual recourse is to appeal the decision to the Court of Appeal, sometimes with permission of the Court, or “leave” to appeal. In limited circumstances, and provided an order reflecting the decision in question has not been entered, a judge, master or registrar may entertain an application to reconsider a decision. If you would like to appear before the same judge again, you must complete the Request To Appear form which is an electronic method of advising the court and the other parties that you want to appear before the justice, master or registrar again.
How do I appeal a decision to the Court of Appeal?
The Court of Appeal Online Help Guide will provide you with information about appealing a Supreme Court decision to the Court of Appeal.
You may also wish to review this flowchart outlining the appeal process for appellants.
How can I tell whether a judgment has been appealed?
Court Services Online, which is accessible from the courts main web page, will allow to you search whether a judgment has been appealed.
Where do I file a summary conviction appeal and what rules do I follow?
A summary conviction appeal must be filed in the Supreme Court nearest to where the trial was held. See Rule 6 of the Criminal Rules for further details. An appeal from a Supreme Court summary conviction appeal decision is by leave of the Court of Appeal.
I'm self-represented, how can I get some help?
The Court of Appeal has a self-help website, located here. where you may find resources for self-represented litigants. The Court of Appeal also runs a program that provides referrals to lawyers in civil and family cases through Access Pro Bono.
How do I call or fax someone at the Court registry?
See the Court Locations and Contacts page.
What time to hearings start in the Court of Appeal?
Appeal hearings begin at 10:00am and chambers hearings begin at 9:30am. The scheduler may also set hearings down at particular times during the morning or afternoon.
When is my hearing and how can I find out?
The Court of Appeal posts its weekly hearing lists on the Hearing List section of the website. Lists for the following week are usually posted on Friday, but may be subject to update as the week proceeds.
Where are the Court of Appeal Courtrooms located?
In Vancouver, the Court of Appeal courtrooms are located on the fifth and sixth floors of the courthouse at 800 Hornby Street. If your matter is in courtroom "50" for example, that means you should go to the fifth floor of the courthouse. The registrar's hearing room is located next to the court registry.
If I cannot get to my hearing, how can I adjourn (cancel) it?
Unless it is an emergency, you are expected to attend court. If you do not attend court and do not advise the registry, you run the risk of an order being made in your absence. If at all possible, you should advise the opposing party (or their lawyer) that you will be seeking an adjournment. An adjournment is not automatically given. You must generally have a very good excuse.
If you cannot get to court and it is an emergency, you should immediately call the court registry to advise them that you will not be present. The number for Court hearings is 604.660.2865. If your matter is in chambers, please call 604.660.2859. In all cases, always call opposing counsel to advise them that you will not be present.
If I am a lawyer, when must I gown?
Lawyers must gown when appearing before three justices (appeals and applications to vary the decision of a single judge in chambers). Lawyers may wear business attire when appearing in chambers. These requirements are the same if parties are appearing virtually.
I've missed a deadline or I'm late, what should I do?
If you have missed a deadline for filing an appeal, you should consult a lawyer, if one is available to you. You must file an application with the court in chambers for an extension of time. This is done by filing a notice of motion and affidavit seeking the extension. For more details, see the Court of Appeal's self-help website.
FAMILY PROCEEDINGS
Where do I find information about judicial case conferences (JCCs)
The JCC process is described in FPD-12 - Judicial Case Conferences. You can also obtain more information in this guidebook.
I need to schedule a JCC. What do I do?
You need to complete, serve and file Form F19 which is may be accessed on the Supreme Court Act, Rules and Forms section of this website.
How do I obtain a copy of my divorce decree?
Contact the registry where your divorce documents were filed. Contact information for the Supreme Court registries around the province is available here.
If you do not know where the registry (i.e., courthouse location) where your divorce order was granted, you can contact the Central Registry of Divorce Proceedings in Ottawa. The Central Registry will not be able to provide a copy of your divorce order, but they will be able to tell you which registry issued the order. With that information, you can then contact the registry to obtain a copy of your divorce order. More information about the Central Registry of Divorce Proceedings can be found on their website or by contacting them by phone - 613-957-4519.
PROBATE
I am the executor of my mother's estate. Where can I find information about probating her estate?
You can find legal information and other resources about probating your mothers estate including information about the duties of executors here.