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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 90 other justices. The legislation also provides for supernumerary judges who sit hearing cases part-time. There are also 15 Supreme Court masters 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.
COVID-19 NOTICE AND ANNOUNCEMENTS
CURRENT COVID-19 NOTICES
May 21, 2020
COVID-19 NOTICE NO. 23 – RESUMPTION OF TRIAL MANAGEMENT CONFERENCES – CIVIL AND FAMILY MATTERS
The Court has revised and replaced COVID-19 Notice No. 20 to clarify that for civil matters where a jury notice has been filed and served, parties may apply for orders as to how the trial will proceed at a Trial Management Conference or Judicial Management Conference. For more information, click here.
May 21, 2020
COVID-19 NOTICE NO. 22 – RESUMPTION OF SOME COURT OPERATIONS – CIVIL AND FAMILY MATTERS
The Court has revised and replaced COVID-19 Notice No. 19 to clarify that for civil matters where a jury notice has been filed and served, parties may apply for orders as to how the trial will proceed at a Trial Management Conference or Judicial Management Conference. For more information, click here.
May 19, 2020
BOOKING JUDICIAL MANAGEMENT CONFERENCES (JMCs) ONLINE
As provided in COVID-19 Notice No. 23 – Resumption of Trial Management Conferences and Trials - Civil and Family Matters, JMCs can now be booked online here.
May 15, 2020
BOOKING TRIAL MANAGEMENT CONFERENCES (TMCS) ONLINE
As provided in COVID-19 Notice No. 23 – Resumption of Trial Management Conferences and Trials - Civil and Family Matters, TMCs can now be booked online here.
May 14, 2020
COVID-19 NOTICE NO. 21 – RESUMPTION OF SOME REGULAR COURT OPERATIONS – CRIMINAL PROCEEDINGS
Associate Chief Justice Holmes has issued COVID-19 Notice No. 21: Notice Regarding Criminal Proceedings - Resumption of Some Regular Court Operations, which can be viewed by clicking here.
The Court is now working toward the resumption of regular court operations. Notice No. 21 gives directions about criminal proceedings scheduled for June 1, 2020 and following. Unless the Court otherwise directs, all criminal trials, voir dires and pre-trial applications, and extradition hearings, scheduled to be heard between June 1 and June 5, 2020, are adjourned to a fix-date appearance as set out in Appendix A. At this point, the Court expects to proceed with criminal trials, voir dires and pre-trial applications, and extradition hearings scheduled to begin on or after June 8, 2020. However, the situation will continue to be assessed, taking into account the many factors affecting the Court’s capacity to hear these types of matters during the pandemic. Further directions about court operations will be forthcoming, and members of the profession, the public and the media should continue to monitor the Court’s website regularly for updates.
May 7, 2020
COVID-19 NOTICE NO. 18 - SUSPENSION OF ALL REGULAR COURT OPERATIONS - CRIMINAL PROCEEDINGS (REVISED MAY 11, 2020)
Effective March 19, 2020 and until further notice, the Honourable Chief Justice Hinkson suspended regular operations of the Supreme Court of British Columbia at all of its locations to protect the health and safety of court users and to help contain the spread of COVID-19. This updated Notice includes some changes to the Court's operations in respect of criminal proceedings including that summary conviction and traffic ticket appeals will be scheduled by telephone where possible and appropriate, and that jury selections are cancelled up to and including September 7, 2020. For more details click here.
May 7, 2020
COVID-19 NOTICE NO. 17 - NOTICE TO MEDIA REGARDING ACCESS TO COURT PROCEEDINGS
The Supreme Court of British Columbia recognizes the critical importance of the open court principle, including in the exceptional circumstances related to the COVID-19 pandemic. The Supreme Court has taken steps to ensure that the media continue to have options for observing and reporting on court proceedings during this unprecedented time. For more information please click here.
May 6, 2020
BOOKING APPLICATIONS BY WRITTEN SUBMISSIONS
As provided in COVID-19 Notice No. 14 – Application by Written Submissions, booking for applications by written submissions can only be done online. The online booking form is now available here.
May 4, 2020
COVID-19 NOTICE NO. 16 - CRIMINAL PROCEEDINGS - COVID PRE-TRIAL CONFERENCES (CV PTC)
Effective Monday, May 4, 2020, and during the remainder of the suspension of the Court’s normal operations, pre-trial conferences will be held by telephone for criminal cases where the trial was unable to proceed because of the suspension, or is at risk of being adjourned because of indirect effects of the suspension. These “CV PTCs” have the specific purpose of advancing or resolving adjourned and at-risk cases as much as possible and appropriate. To view the Notice, click here. To view the CV PTC Counsel form, click here.
May 4, 2020
COVID-19 NOTICE NO. 15 - SUSPENSION OF ALL REGULAR COURT OPERATIONS - INSOLVENCY MATTERS
The Supreme Court of British Columbia has modified its Request for Urgent Hearing – Insolvency process to remove the requirement to submit draft materials. For the revised Notice, click here.
April 27, 2020
COVID-19 NOTICE NO. 14 - EXPANSION OF CIVIL AND FAMILY MATTERS - APPLICATIONS BY WRITTEN SUBMISSIONS
To facilitate the just, speedy and inexpensive determination of proceedings during the suspension of the Court’s regular operations, pursuant to Ministerial Order No. M121 the Chief Justice has expanded the scope of applications that can proceed by way of written submissions. To see the order of the Chief Justice, click here. For more details about bringing an application by written submissions, click here. Booking for applications by written submissions will only be available online. The Court will announce when online booking is available, expected by May 8, 2020.
April 24, 2020
COVID-19 NOTICE NO. 13 - EXPANSION OF CIVIL AND FAMILY MATTERS – TELEPHONE CONFERENCE HEARINGS (REVISED)
Effective April 20, 2020, in an effort to expand the civil and family matters that can be dealt with at this time, the Court has established procedures to allow parties to schedule a COVID-19 Telephone Conference Hearing (TCH) for matters that are not urgent or essential (as specified in the Court’s April 16, 2020 Notice and that were scheduled for hearing during the Suspension Period. At each TCH, parties will be limited to addressing one disputed issue or to bringing forward issues on which they have consent. This updated Notice (revised April 24, 2020) includes information about scheduling a TCH when a judge or master is seized of or assigned to a matter, and clarifies that an affidavit filed for a TCH must not exceed 10 pages, inclusive of exhibits. For more details click here.
April 24, 2020
COVID-19 NOTICE NO. 12 - E-FILING AND DESK ORDER APPLICATIONS (FAMILY AND CIVIL)
The Supreme Court of British Columbia encourages the use of e-filing for certain family and civil desk order applications. For more information click here.
April 21, 2020
COVID-19 NOTICE NO. 10 - E-FILING AND BANKRUPTCY DESK ORDER APPLICATIONS
On April 21, 2020, the Supreme Court of British Columbia issued a Notice to the Profession, Public and Media encouraging the use of e-filing for bankruptcy desk order applications. For more information click here.
April 16, 2020
COVID-19 NOTICE NO. 8 - SUSPENSION OF ALL REGULAR COURT OPERATIONS - CIVIL AND FAMILY MATTERS (Revised April 16, 2020)
Effective March 19, 2020 and until further notice, the Honourable Chief Justice Hinkson suspended regular operations of the Supreme Court of British Columbia at all of its locations to protect the health and safety of court users and to help contain the spread of COVID-19. This updated Notice includes some changes to the Court's operations in respect of civil and family proceedings including the adjournment of civil and family matters with scheduled appearances up to and including May 29, 2020 and the cancellation of jury selections up to and including July 3, 2020. For more details click here.
April 2, 2020
SUPREME COURT OF BRITISH COLUMBIA NOTICE - SUSPENSION OF ALL REGULAR COURT OPERATIONS - INSOLVENCY MATTERS
Effective March 19, 2020 and until further notice, the Honourable Chief Justice Hinkson has suspended regular operations of the Supreme Court of British Columbia at all of its locations to protect the health and safety of court users and to help contain the spread of COVID-19. This updated Notice includes some changes to the Court's operations in respect of insolvency proceedings effective April 2, 2020. For more details click here.
March 30, 2020
SUPREME COURT OF BRITISH COLUMBIA NOTICE - SUSPENSION OF ALL REGULAR COURT OPERATIONS - CIVIL AND FAMILY MATTERS (Revised March 30, 2020)
Effective March 19, 2020 and until further notice, the Honourable Chief Justice Hinkson has suspended regular operations of the Supreme Court of British Columbia at all of its locations to protect the health and safety of court users and to help contain the spread of COVID-19. This updated Notice includes some changes to the Court's operations in respect of civil and family proceedings effective March 30, 2020. For more details click here.
March 30, 2020
SUPREME COURT OF BRITISH COLUMBIA NOTICE - SUSPENSION OF ALL REGULAR COURT OPERATIONS - CRIMINAL PROCEEDINGS (Revised March 30, 2020)
Effective March 19, 2020 and until further notice, the Honourable Chief Justice Hinkson has suspended regular operations of the Supreme Court of British Columbia at all of its locations to protect the health and safety of court users and to help contain the spread of COVID-19. This updated Notice includes some changes to the Court's operations in respect of criminal proceedings effective March 30, 2020. For more details click here.
March 30, 2020
COVID-19 NOTICE NO. 3 - APPLICATIONS UNDER S. 490 OF THE CRIMINAL CODE (FURTHER DETENTION OF THINGS SEIZED)
During the COVID-19 health emergency, the Supreme Court is implementing new procedures for s. 490 applications. For more details, click here.
March 27, 2020
COVID-19 NOTICE NO. 2 - NOTICE TO THE PUBLIC REGARDING AFFIDAVITS FOR USE IN COURT PROCEEDINGS
During the COVID-19 pandemic, the Court of Appeal for British Columbia, the Supreme Court of British Columbia, and the Provincial Court of British Columbia will make accommodations for the commissioning of affidavits in circumstances where it is not possible or is medically unsafe for the deponent to attend before a commissioner. All three levels of court will follow the same process, set out in the directives linked below:
Court of Appeal for British Columbia
Supreme Court of British Columbia
Provincial Court of British Columbia
March 27, 2020
COVID-19 NOTICE NO. 1 - CHANGES TO COURTROOM PROCEDURES FOR IN-PERSON COURT APPEARANCES
In order to protect the health and safety of court users, court staff and others and to help limit the spread of COVID-19, new procedures are being implemented for hearings where there counsel, parties, media and the public are attending in person. For more details click here.
COVID-19 ANNOUNCEMENTS
April 21, 2020
USE OF BASIC BCeID FOR E-FILING
As of April 20, 2020 and for the duration of the suspension of regular operations at the Supreme Court of British Columbia, parties may e-file documents using Basic BCeID. For more information click here.
April 21, 2020
CERTIFICATES OF PENDING LITIGATION, CERTIFICATES OF JUDGMENT, AND CERTIFICATES OF COMMENCEMENT OF COMMENCEMENT OF PROCEEDINGS
As of April 17, 2020 and for the duration of the suspension of regular operations at the Supreme Court of British Columbia, Certificates of Pending Litigation, Certificates of Judgment, and Certificates of Commencement of Proceedings may be transmitted electronically. For more information click here.
April 17, 2020
AMENDMENT TO THREE COURTS' POLICY ON USE OF ELECTRONIC DEVICES IN COURTROOMS
The Three Courts’ Policy on Use of Electronic Devices in Courtrooms has been amended to confirm the Policy’s application to court proceedings conducted remotely. The amended Policy may be found here.
April 6, 2020
MESSAGE FROM THE SUPREME COURT OF BRITISH COLUMBIA
The Supreme Court of British Columbia has taken steps to protect the health and safety of court users and staff and prevent the spread of COVID-19, including by suspending regular operations during the outbreak. The Court continues to hear urgent and essential matters and to receive and process filed documents for all of its cases. Courtrooms are open to the public subject to physical/social distancing requirements. For more information about the reasons for the suspension of regular operations, please click here.
March 21, 2020
COURTHOUSE CLOSURES - UPDATED
The Chilliwack Law Courts and the Nanaimo Law Courts will reopen on March 23, 2020.
The Campbell River Law Courts will remain closed until April 6, 2020.
For more information click here.
March 18, 2020
SUPREME COURT OF BRITISH COLUMBIA - CLOSURE OF COURTHOUSES AND SUSPENSION OF ALL REGULAR COURT OPERATIONS
As part of the Court's efforts to prevent the spread of COVID-19, the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of British Columbia has ordered the suspension of all regular operations, effective immediately and until further notice. It is a constitutional imperative that the courts must remain open; however, in light of the extraordinary circumstances during the current public health emergency, members of the public who do not have urgent business before the court are discouraged from attending any courthouse. Any matter scheduled for an appearance today shall proceed unless the presiding judge orders otherwise. All regular hearings scheduled after today are adjourned indefinitely.
Adjustments will be made to accommodate the hearing of urgent matters. Further details concerning urgent and emergency matters and the running of timelines will follow shortly.
March 13, 2020
BC COURTS' RESPONSE TO COVID-19
In response to the rapidly evolving situation with COVID-19, the Court of Appeal for British Columbia, the Supreme Court of British Columbia and the Provincial Court of British Columbia ("Courts") have developed a coordinated approach to manage impacts of the virus on the operations of the Courts. For more details click here.
March 12, 2020
NOVEL CORONAVIRUS OUTBREAK (COVID-19)
British Columbia is experiencing an increase in cases of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) and it is anticipated that the virus will continue to spread. The Court of Appeal for British Columbia and the Supreme Court of British Columbia continue to monitor information and take guidance from public health officials and are taking steps to try to ensure the safety and health of the members of the public who interact with the Court. READ MORE
OTHER ANNOUNCEMENTS
May 4, 2020
JUDICIAL APPOINTMENT – MADAM JUSTICE SANDRA WILKINSON
The Supreme Court of British Columbia welcomes the appointment of the Honourable Madam Justice Sandra Wilkinson to Vancouver. For more information, please see the press release issued by the Department of Justice. Public welcoming ceremonies for Madam Justice Wilkinson will be held on a date to be scheduled. Information about the welcoming ceremonies will be posted on the Court’s website.
March 31, 2020
SUPREME COURT ANNUAL REPORT 2019
The Annual Report of the Supreme Court of British Columbia covering the activities of the Court for 2019 is now available.
March 16, 2020
JUDICIAL APPOINTMENTS – MR. JUSTICE MATTHEW TAYLOR AND MR. JUSTICE ANDREW MAJAWA
The Supreme Court of British Columbia welcomes the appointment of the Honourable Mr. Justice Matthew Taylor to New Westminster and the Honourable Mr. Justice Andrew Majawa to Vancouver. For more information, please see the press release issued by the Department of Justice. Public welcoming ceremonies for Mr. Justice Taylor and Mr. Justice Majawa will be held on a date to be scheduled. Information about the welcoming ceremonies will be posted on the Court’s website.
February 27, 2020
REVISED CPD-4 - PROCEDURE FOR DETENTION REVIEWS UNDER s. 525 OF THE CRIMINAL CODE.
The Honourable Associate Chief Justice Holmes has issued an updated version of CPD-4 (Criminal Practice Direction 4 - Procedure for Detention Reviews Under s. 525 of the Criminal Code), which comes into effect on Monday, March 2, 2020. The practice direction was updated to reflect experience with the process to date and to address amendments to s. 525 of the Code, which came into force on December 18, 2019. CPD-4 and electronic versions of the appended forms are posted on the Court website under “Practice Directions – Criminal”.