Act in Force: New Court of Appeal Act and Rules May 31, 2022 On July 18, 2022 the Court of Appeal Act, S.B.C. 2021, c. 6 will be brought into force along with new Court of Appeal Rules. The new rules clarify existing procedures, simplify language and make the appeals process more efficient.
Provincial Government Response from Government: Amendment to S. 203 of Family Law Act May 17, 2022 The Government has responded to CBABC’s briefing note on section 203 of the Family Law Act, which recommends changes to reduce existing barriers in appointing counsel to assist children.
Provincial Government Deputy Attorney General: Amendment to S. 203 of Family Law Act April 14, 2022 CBABC has made a request to the Deputy Attorney General to amend section 203 of the Family Law Act. The current section creates a higher threshold to meet before the court can order a legal representative for a child who is involved in a family law matter. The proposed amendment would align the BC legislation with other jurisdictions by removing barriers to appointing counsel to assist children with their rights.
Law Society of BC, Provincial Government Law Society of BC/Attorney General: Family Law Disputes April 12, 2022 The Law Society of BC (LSBC) reviewed a report of their Access to Justice Advisory Committee in the fall of 2021 which looked into ways to improve access to justice in family law disputes. CBABC prepared a written submission with recommendations and further considerations for both LSBC and the BC Government as improvements are made to alleviate challenges for those needing to resolve family law matters.
BC Courts Submission to the Rules Committee: BCSC Contempt Rules April 07, 2022 The Rules of Contempt are under review by the BC Supreme Court Civil and Family Rules Committee (Rules Committee). The existing rules are outdated and do not reflect the range of options that are used under the court’s inherent jurisdiction when a court order is violated.
Amendment: Family Law Act & Child Support Recalculation April 07, 2022 The Government has introduced a program that reviews eligible orders and written agreements for child support; this expansion follows a pilot program offered in Kelowna and changes to the Family Law Act have expanded that program. This free service will help BC families identify adjustments needed to child support.
Amendment: Supreme Court Civil and Family Rules April 04, 2022 On April 4, 2022, a number of amendments to the Supreme Court Civil Rules, B.C. Reg. 168/2009, and Supreme Court Family Rules, B.C. Reg. 160/2009, came into force.
Bill Introduced: Bill 9 – 2022: Attorney General Statutes Amendment Act, 2022 March 09, 2022 The provincial government has introduced an Attorney General Bill for amendments to the Civil Resolution Tribunal Act, Notaries Act and Legal Profession Act.
Bill Introduced: Bill 8 – 2022 Attorney General Statutes (Hague Convention on Child and Family Support) Amendment Act, 2022 March 09, 2022 The provincial government has introduced an Attorney General Bill for amendments to better serve British Columbians by improving access to services and making it easier to handle cross-border child support matters. The Bill includes amendments to the Interjurisdictional Support Orders Act.
Amendment: Family Law Act Regulations March 02, 2022 Family Law Act regulations regarding child support recalculation (“Part 5”) have been amended by the government and take effect Mar 1, 2022.