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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.
ANNOUNCEMENTS
March 31, 2026
EXPANSION OF VIRTUAL HEARINGS IN CIVIL AND FAMILY PROCEEDINGS
The Court is expanding access to virtual hearings and video appearances in civil and family proceedings. This is part of a larger strategy to modernize the civil justice system, make efficient use of judicial resources and improve affordability and increase access to justice. These reforms are also responsive to feedback gathered through the Court's chambers consultation. Chief Justice Skolrood has issued four practice directions relating to virtual hearings and video appearances.
Attendance by Video at CPCs and JMCsPractice Direction 71 - Manner of Attendance for Case Planning Conferences and Judicial Management Conferences provides that effective May 4, 2026, the default manner of attendance at CPCs and JMCs is by video. Parties and counsel who have a CPC or JMC scheduled after May 4, 2026 will appear by video and must contact Supreme Court Scheduling to provide an email address. A party who would like to change the manner of attendance can seek the court's permission by filing a requisition.
Virtual Chambers Expands to New Westminster on June 1, 2026Practice Direction 72 - Electronic Application Records (Associate Judges Chambers Pilot Project) and Practice Direction 73 - Virtual Chambers (Associate Judges Chamber Pilot Project) have been issued and replace Practice Direction 68 - Associate Judges Chambers Project.
Practice Direction 73 expands access to virtual chambers to include New Westminster. Under Practice Direction 73, parties may schedule short applications (30 minutes or less) before an associate judge in virtual chambers, except in proceedings filed in the Vancouver Registry. For proceedings in the New Westminster registry, applications may be heard in virtual chambers beginning on June 1, 2026.
A list of virtual chambers hearing dates is available here.
Some Applications in Foreclosure Proceedings May be Heard in Virtual ChambersPractice Direction 66 - Foreclosure Proceedings has been updated to clarify that applications in foreclosure proceedings, except applications for approval of sale, may be scheduled in virtual chambers in accordance with Practice Direction 73.
Remote Attendance at Applications, TMCs and Hearings before the RegistrarPractice Direction 74 - Remote Attendance at Applications, Trial Management Conferences and Hearings and Pre-Hearing Conferences before the Registrar sets out factors the court will consider when determining an application for remote attendance. Practice Direction 74 requires parties and counsel who wish to appear remotely to provide the court with sufficient information to determine the request.
March 31, 2026
BC SUPREME COURT ANNUAL REPORT 2025
The Annual Report of the Supreme Court of British Columbia covering the activities of the Court for 2025 is now available.
March 27, 2026
JUDICIAL APPOINTMENTS - JUSTICE JAHANI, JUSTICE MCQUEEN, JUSTICE KLEIN, and JUSTICE GREENBERG
The Supreme Court of British Columbia welcomes the appointments of the Honourable Justice Delaram Jahani, the Honourable Justice Jacqueline G. McQueen, the Honourable Justice Michael P. Klein, K.C., and the Honourable Justice Brook J. Greenberg, K.C. to Vancouver. For more information about the new appointments, please see the press release issued by the Department of Justice. The Court will hold public welcoming ceremonies for the new justices; details about the dates and locations will be posted on the court's website.