Email page
Print page |
 |
Supreme Court
The Supreme Court of British Columbia is the province's superior trial court. The Supreme Court is a court of general and inherent jurisdiction which means that it can hear any type of case, civil or criminal. It hears most appeals from the Provincial Court in civil and criminal cases and appeals from arbitrations. A party may appeal a decision of the Supreme Court to the Court of Appeal.
The Supreme Court Act, R.S.B.C. 1996, c. 443, provides for a Chief Justice of the Supreme Court, an Associate Chief Justice, and 95 other judges. The legislation also provides for supernumerary judges who sit hearing cases part-time. There are also 13 Supreme Court associate judges who hear and dispose of a wide variety of applications in chambers. The Supreme Court also has a Registrar who hears assessments relating to bills of costs, reviews lawyers' accounts, settles orders, references of various types and deals with bankruptcy discharge applications.
CURRENT CONSULTATIONS The Supreme Court periodically seeks feedback from the public and court users on various processes and initiatives. The Court is currently seeking feedback on the Court's role in advancing reconciliation. Feedback can be sent to ReconciliationFeedback@bccourts.ca. The deadline for providing feedback has been extended to October 14th.More information can be found in the May 30th announcement below.
|
ANNOUNCEMENTS
October 9, 2025
AN-20 - SERVICE OF DOCUMENTS DURING THE POSTAL DISRUPTION
Chief Justice Skolrood has issued Administrative Notice 20 - Service of Documents during the Postal Disruption. Administrative Notice 20 provides that parties and counsel appearing in civil and family chambers or at a registrar's hearing must be prepared to address sufficiency of service during the disruption of Canada Post's services. A presider may require evidence of service and may refuse to hear a matter if not satisfied that the opposing party has actual notice of the application or hearing.
October 2, 2025
JUDICIAL CLERKSHIP PROGRAM INFORMATION SESSIONS
This fall the Court of Appeal and Supreme Court are hosting in-person and virtual information sessions about the judicial clerkship program. These sessions aim to foster learning and connection between judges, law clerks, and students interested in learning more about the judicial clerkship experience. The following sessions will take place in-person at BC Law Schools:
- University of Victoria Faculty of Law on October 8 from 12:30 pm to 1:30 pm.
- Allard Hall School of Law on October 14 from 12:30 pm to 1:30 pm.
- Thomson Rivers University Faculty of Law on November 4 from 1:00 pm to 2:00 pm.
Please check with your Career Services Office for more details.
There will also be two sessions that will take place online in early November:
- Indigenous law student communities - November 3 from 12:45 pm to 1:45 pm PST.
- LGBTQIA2S+ law student communities - November 6 from 12:45 pm to 1:45 pm PST.
Please email judiciallawclerkprogram@bccourts.ca if you have any further questions about the information sessions.
October 2, 2025
CPD-11 NOTICE OF APPLICATIONS TO CHALLENGE POTENTIAL JURORS FOR CAUSE
Associate Chief Justice Holmes has issued CPD-11 - Notice of Applications to Challenge Potential Jurors for Cause, which is effective October 6, 2025. CPD-11 sets out the requirements for notice of applications to challenge potential jurors for cause in criminal proceedings. CPD-11 repeals Rule 2(7) of the Criminal Rules of the Supreme Court of British Columbia. The related Notice dated July 29, 1999 will no longer apply, and will be removed from the Court's website.
September 30, 2025
NATIONAL DAY FOR TRUTH AND RECONCILIATION
The National Day for Truth and Reconciliation is an opportunity for everyone to reflect on the painful history of residential schools and the continuing intergenerational trauma caused by the residential school system. It is also a time to celebrate the strength and resilience of Indigenous people and communities and to deepen our engagement with the work of reconciliation.
As the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada recognized, for reconciliation to become a reality there has to be awareness of the past, acknowledgment of the harm inflicted, atonement for the causes, and action to change behaviour.
The BC Court of Appeal, Supreme Court, and Provincial Court recognize reconciliation as an ongoing process that is part of pursuing a justice system that is inclusive and respectful to all. While each level of court performs an independent role within the justice system, all three courts are committed to working towards reconciliation.
With the input of several Indigenous judges, the courts have chosen National Truth and Reconciliation Day as an appropriate date to provide information about their reconciliation efforts. Additional information and updates will be provided on an ongoing basis through the three courts' Annual Reports and other avenues.
In 2024, the Supreme Court struck a Reconciliation Working Group (RWG). The RWG has focused on (1) obtaining input from Indigenous peoples and organizations, the bar and the public on how the Court can advance reconciliation; and (2) judicial education. The Court extends its thanks to everyone who provided feedback. In the coming weeks and months the RWG will be considering the feedback received as the Court develops its next steps in the path towards advancing reconciliation.
August 18, 2025
ASSOCIATE JUDGES CHAMBERS PILOT PROJECT - EXPANSION AND NEW PRACTICE DIRECTION 68
Chief Justice Skolrood has issued new Practice Direction 68 - Associate Judges Chambers Pilot Project, which provides a means for parties to submit chambers application records electronically for some matters using Court Services Online ("CSO"). Practice Direction 68, which comes into effect on September 8, 2025, provides for the expansion of the Associate Judges Chambers Pilot Project to allow applications under 30 minutes to be scheduled before an associate judge in chambers where all litigants will appear by video using Microsoft Teams, by default. Initially, the expansion will include proceedings in all registries other than the Vancouver and New Westminster registries, including those without a resident associate judge.
Chief Justice Skolrood has also updated the Associate Judges Chambers Pilot Project Notice to the Profession, the Public and the Media Regarding Civil and Family Proceedings. These changes also come into effect on September 8, 2025. Please refer to the Associate Judges Chambers Pilot Project page for more information.
The Court encourages the public and the bar to participate in projects piloting technological advancements in the courtroom setting as the new processes need to be utilized to effect improvements, but also to justify the continued funding of such work if it is of interest.