ANNOUNCEMENTS

October 1, 2026
JUDICIAL CLERKSHIP PROGRAM INFORMATION SESSIONS

Every fall in October and November, the Court of Appeal and Supreme Court host 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 this fall in-person at BC Law Schools:

• University of Victoria Faculty of Law on October 8 from 12:30 pm to 1:30 pm.
• Thompson Rivers University Faculty of Law on October 13 from 1:00 pm to 2:00 pm.
• Peter A. Allard School of Law on October 14 from 12:30 pm to 1:30 pm.

Please check with your Career Services Office for more details.

There will also be two online information sessions that will take place in November:

• Indigenous law student communities - November 4 from 12:45 pm to 1:45 pm PST.
  Register here.


• LGBTQIA2S+ law student communities - November 10 from 12:45 pm to 1:45 pm PST.
  Register here.

Please email judiciallawclerkprogram@bccourts.ca if you have any further questions about the information sessions.

October 1, 2026
NEW PROCEDURE FOR BRINGING APPLICATIONS IN CIVIL AND FAMILY CHAMBERS AND RELATED UPDATES TO PRACTICE DIRECTIONS

Effective today, Rule 8-1 of the Supreme Court Civil Rules and Rule 10-6 of the Supreme Court Family Rules have been amended and the procedure for bringing an application has changed. Parties are now required to exchange materials before setting an application for hearing and before filing materials. The changes aim to support efficient use of court time and improve access to chambers by encouraging parties and counsel to engage in early discussions and focus the issues in dispute, improving time estimates, reducing adjournment applications, and reducing the volume of applications that are set down and which do not proceed to hearing.

Chief Justice Skolrood has amended the following practice directions to align them with the new procedure for bringing applications:

• FPD-20 - French Language and Bilingual Divorce Act Proceedings
• PD-48 - Applications for Authorization to Video Record or Broadcast Court Proceedings
• PD-56 - Notification of Publication Ban Applications
• PD-61 - Applications to Commence Proceedings Anonymously
• PD-73 - Virtual Chambers (Associate Judges Chambers Pilot Project)
• PD-75 - Chambers Practice

The amendments to PD-61 update the process and timing for bringing an application to commence a proceeding using initials or a pseudonym.

The amendments to PD-73 update the process for bringing an application in virtual chambers. The updates establish a new form for serving notice of an intention to bring an application in virtual chambers, a new process for objecting to a virtual hearing, and a modified notice of hearing of application for setting a hearing in virtual chambers.

The updates to FPD-20, PD-48, PD-56 and PD-75 are housekeeping in nature and do not change the processes they set out.

For more information about these and other rule amendments, please see OIC No. 264/2026. Information about the timelines and steps for bringing an application is also available on the Supreme Court Civil and Family Rules Committee's website, here.

September 28, 2026
WELCOMING CEREMONY

A Welcoming Ceremony for The Honourable Justices Jahani, McQueen, Klein, and Greenberg and Associate Judge Shirreff will be held on Tuesday, September 29, 2026, in the Great Hall of the Vancouver Law Courts at 4:30 p.m. Members of the public are invited to attend the Welcoming Ceremony.

September 23, 2026
NATIONAL DAY FOR TRUTH AND RECONCILIATION

The Court of Appeal, Supreme Court and Provincial Court of British Columbia will be closed on Wednesday, September 30, 2026, in recognition of the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation. This day provides an opportunity to acknowledge the lasting impacts of the residential school system on Indigenous Peoples, families and communities and broader relationships within Canadian society. We honour residential school Survivors and remember the children who never returned home. It is also a time to reflect on the courts' commitment to advancing reconciliation. The Court of Appeal, Supreme Court and Provincial Court recognize that reconciliation is part of the ongoing work of pursuing a justice system that is inclusive and respectful to all. While each court has an independent role within the justice system, all three courts are committed to advancing reconciliation through their respective work.

Court of Appeal

Since publishing its Reconciliation Framework and Action Plan in 2025, the Court of Appeal has continued to advance reconciliation through education, relationship-building and improving access to justice. This has included ongoing education for judges and staff on truth and reconciliation, as well as learning and relationship-building with First Nations communities and Indigenous justice organizations. The Court also published a practice directive addressing Indigenous practices and ceremonies in the courtroom. More information about the Court of Appeal's engagement with truth and reconciliation is available in the Court of Appeal's Annual Report.

Supreme Court

The Supreme Court is actively considering its role in advancing reconciliation. In 2024, the Court established a Reconciliation Working Group (RWG). To date, 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. In 2025, the RWG sought input from Indigenous organizations, bar associations and members of the public on ways the Court could advance reconciliation and further access to justice for Indigenous Peoples. In 2026, the RWG is developing (and will be engaging on) a framework for taking appropriate steps to advance the objectives of truth and reconciliation, consistent with the Supreme Court's Strategic Plan.

Provincial Court

The Provincial Court is committed to reconciliation with Indigenous Peoples. In 2025, it adopted a Reconciliation Framework that focuses on learning, building relationships, and improving access to justice. Judges receive ongoing education about Indigenous matters. The Court also works closely with Indigenous communities through restorative justice programs, ten Indigenous sentencing courts, and the Aboriginal Family Healing Court Conference. In addition, the Court holds circuit court in Indigenous and remote communities and meets with Indigenous organizations and community members to improve access to justice. More information is available on the Court's Reconciliation webpage, and in the Court's Reconciliation Framework.

September 18, 2026
ADOPTION OF CANADIAN OPEN ACCESS LEGAL CITATION GUIDE (COAL)

On September 8, 2026, the Supreme Court of British Columbia adopted the Canadian Open Access Legal Citation Guide ("COAL") as its primary citation guide.

COAL is a free, open-access resource that promotes accessibility and standardization in legal citation, making legal sources easier to find and verify. Its adoption encourages consistent and reliable citation practices across the justice system, particularly as AI tools are increasingly used in legal research and writing.

By making legal citations more accessible, this initiative supports the Court's commitment to the timely and effective administration of justice. The guide is available online at 2024 CanLIIDocs 830.

September 16, 2026
SUPREME COURT OF BRITISH COLUMBIA STRATEGIC PLAN 2026-2031

The Supreme Court of British Columbia is pleased to announce the release of its 2026-2031 Strategic Plan.

The Strategic Plan sets out the Court's key priorities for the next five years:

1. Timely and effective access to justice;
2. Public confidence in the justice system through communications and outreach;
3. Modern and secure courthouse facilities and infrastructure; and
4. A strong and resilient workforce.

For each priority, the Plan includes a series of action plans that identify practical steps the Court will take to support its goals. The Plan reflects the Court's commitment to upholding the rule of law, maintaining public confidence in the justice system, and responding to the evolving needs of the people and communities it serves.

This Plan marks the beginning of the Court's strategic direction. As work evolves, additional operational goals and initiatives may be developed. The Court will report annually on its progress in implementing the Strategic Plan through its Annual Report.

The 2026-2031 Strategic Plan is now available on the Court's website.

September 11, 2026
INFORMATION ABOUT THE NEW PROCEDURE FOR BRINGING APPLICATIONS

Effective October 1, 2026, OIC No. 264/2026 will amend the Supreme Court Civil Rules and the Supreme Court Family Rules and the process for bringing applications in civil and family chambers will change. Parties will be required to exchange materials before setting an application for hearing and before filing materials.

More information about these changes, including the timelines and steps for bringing an application, is available on the Supreme Court Civil and Family Rules Committee's website, here.

September 1, 2026
Judicial Transfer - Justice Lisa J. Hamilton

The Supreme Court of British Columbia announces the judicial transfer of Justice Lisa Hamilton to Vancouver from New Westminster as of September 1, 2026.

August 24, 2026
JUDICIAL RETIREMENT - THE HONOURABLE JUSTICE JOHN S. HARVEY

The Supreme Court of British Columbia announces that the Honourable Justice John S. Harvey retired from the Supreme Court of British Columbia at New Westminster on Friday, August 21, 2026. Justice Harvey was appointed to the Supreme Court on January 1, 2009.

July 6, 2026
AMENDMENTS TO THE SUPREME COURT CIVIL RULES AND THE SUPREME COURT FAMILY RULES

Effective October 1, 2026, the procedure for bringing applications under Rule 8-1 of the Supreme Court Civil Rules and Rule 10-6 of the Supreme Court Family Rules will change, moving from the current "file and serve" approach to a "serve and file" method. Parties will be required to exchange materials before setting an application for hearing and before filing materials.

The changes aim to facilitate timely access to regular and long chambers. The process is intended to support efficient use of court time by encouraging parties and counsel to engage in early discussions and focus the issues in dispute, improving time estimates, reducing adjournment applications, and reducing the volume of applications that are set down and which do not proceed to hearing.

The new procedure will include the following steps:

1. A party who wishes to bring an application must serve a notice of application and supporting affidavits on the application respondent before filing the materials;
2. An application respondent must serve its application response and supporting affidavits on the applicant before filing the materials;
3. An applicant will set an application for hearing by filing the notice of application and supporting affidavits, and filing and serving a notice of hearing of application; and
4. An application must not be set for hearing until the application respondent has served its materials or the time for doing so has expired.

Please see OIC No. 264/2026 for more detail about these changes and other amendments to the Supreme Court Civil Rules and the Supreme Court Family Rules. More information will follow before the changes take effect on October 1, 2026.

July 6, 2026
PRACTICE DIRECTION 75 - CHAMBERS PRACTICE

Chief Justice Skolrood has issued Practice Direction 75 - Chambers Practice, effective today. Chambers is an essential part of the civil and family justice system and a shared public resource.

There are too few judges and associate judges to meet the demand for chambers hearings, and it is therefore essential that hearings proceed efficiently so that the Court may hear and resolve as many matters as possible in a timely way. This requires parties and counsel to comply with the Supreme Court Civil Rules and the Supreme Court Family Rules governing chambers proceedings, and to properly prepare materials and adhere to time estimates.

PD-75 clarifies expectations regarding chambers practice, including compliance with the Rules and the consequences which may follow if those requirements are not met. PD-75 takes into consideration the extensive feedback the Court received through its public consultation about chambers.

June 23, 2026
BOOKING LENGTHY CHAMBERS ONLINE - FURTHER NOTICE

Chief Justice Skolrood has issued a further notice regarding changes to online booking for long chambers hearings in civil and family matters.

June 9, 2026
VIRTUAL CHAMBERS HAS EXPANDED TO NEW WESTMINSTER

As of June 1, 2026, short applications (30 minutes or less) scheduled before an associate judge may be set in virtual chambers in all court locations, except in the Vancouver Regi stry.

Please review Practice Direction 72 - Electronic Application Records (Associate Judges Chambers Pilot Project) and Practice Direction 73 - Virtual Chambers (Associate Judges Chamber Pilot Project), which were issued on March 31, 2026.

More information, and the list of virtual chambers hearing dates, is available here.

 

(Announcements Archive)