The Supreme Court of BC launched a Masters Chambers Pilot which allows for eFiling of eBinders for Masters Chambers at all court registries in Vancouver Island and Powell River area. The pilot provides a means for electronic submission of chambers applications for some matters at specific registries using Court Services Online. CBABC hosted an information session in August. Access ➔
Following each hearing, surveys are sent to counsel to collect feedback, which will be considered by the Court when expanding and making changes to the Pilot. All lawyers are encouraged to respond and provide input.
The benefits of transitioning to electronic application records include reduced overall costs for counsel, parties, and the Court, as well as a higher degree of adaptability for the Court to deal with chambers hearings both in-person and virtually. If successful, the Masters Chambers Pilot may be expanded to other chambers hearings and locations.
Please note:
- The timelines for submitting the Application Record have not changed. As per the Supreme Court Civil Rules 8-1(15) and Family Rule 10-6(14):
- An application record must be submitted no later than 4 p.m. on the business day that is one full business day before the date set for the hearing of the application.
- An application record that is not received by 4 p.m. on the business day that is one full business day before the date set for the hearing will not be placed on the hearing list.
- NOTE: The date and time of submission of the Application Record will be recorded and the registry will be checking for compliance with the Supreme Court Civil and Family Rules.
- When eFiling eBinders within Court Services Online for the first time, users must select the “Submit Application Records” option.
Further details about the Pilot and how to submit eBinders for Masters Chambers can be found in the Notice to the Profession: COVID-19 Notice No. 54.