B.C. goes to court against its own prosecutors over handling bail hearings July 12, 2023 Crown prosecutors' association grieved province's directive on staffing weekend bail hearings and an arbitrator ordered the province to negotiate
Updated court rules will improve access to justice July 10, 2023 "Amendments to the Supreme Court Civil Rules and Supreme Court Family Rules will make it easier for people in B.C. to access court services. While most amendments are for housekeeping purposes, updates to use plain language will improve accessibility, particularly for people who speak English as an additional language."
Legislative amendments strengthening judicial complaints process receive Royal Assent July 04, 2023 Minister of Justice and Attorney General David Lametti has announced that legislative amendments to the Judges Act, aimed at enhancing the judicial complaints process, have received Royal Assent and become law.
Supreme Court of Canada Appointment Process - 2023 June 29, 2023 "On behalf of the Advisory Board, I encourage you to use your networks and knowledge of the judiciary and legal community in your jurisdictions to identify qualified candidates, and urge them to submit an application."
CRIM 16: Joint Hearing Criminal Case Management Orders Under Section 551.7 Criminal Code June 23, 2023 Purpose: Section 551.7 of the Criminal Code allows the Chief Judge or a designated judge to determine if it is in the interest of justice to adjudicate an issue referred to in s.551.3(1)(g)(i)-(iii) at a joint hearing. The purpose of this practice direction is to describe the process to make an application under this section.
Supreme Court of BC: Criminal Jury Selection to be Conducted in One Stage June 22, 2023 Commencing September 5, 2023, the Court will no longer use a two-stage process for the selection of criminal juries. As of that date, criminal jury selection will take place in one stage, usually on a single day.
Chief Justice of Canada Richard Wagner notes decline in press coverage of courts at CBA forum June 22, 2023 Chief Justice of Canada Richard Wagner noted the dwindling number of journalists covering the courts in Canada during a recent Canadian Bar Association forum on the roles of journalists and the judiciary in preserving public trust in the justice system.
Systemic discrimination has ‘deep roots in our laws and systems’: B.C. human rights commissioner June 22, 2023 British Columbia is reaching out to the public as it seeks to identify and address systemic racism in government services.
Edward L. Wilson honoured with esteemed award for distinguished service June 19, 2023 The Canadian Bar Association, BC Branch is pleased to award Vancouver lawyer, Edward L. Wilson the Georges A. Goyer QC Memorial Award for Distinguished Service. The award is the highest honour bestowed by the Branch and was presented at the annual Vancouver Bench & Bar Dinner.