Submissions and Legislative Updates

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Provincial Government, BC Courts

Submission to Attorney General: Virtual Court Interfaces

  • June 23, 2023

On June 23, CBABC delivered a submission to the Ministry of Attorney General recommending a more intentional approach to the design of virtual courtrooms.  

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Advocacy Win: Proposed amendments to Family Law Act echo CBABC recommendations on property and pets

  • April 04, 2023

The provincial government recently tabled Bill 17, the Family Law Amendment Act, 2023, which reflects CBABC advocacy on property division and spousal support.

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BC Courts

Submission to Supreme Court of BC: Virtual Chambers for Short Matters

  • November 02, 2022

CBABC has delivered a submission to the Supreme Court of British Columbia requesting a return to virtual Chambers hearings for short matters in civil and family law proceedings with the ability to obtain in-person appearances where circumstances warrant.

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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.

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Provincial Government

Report from Special Committee on Reforming the Police Act

  • May 09, 2022

In 2021, the Government formed a Special Committee to reform the Police Act. A public consultation was conducted and the final report of this Special Committee has now been published, along with recommendations for modernizing the legislation and policies around policing in BC.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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Provincial Government

On Matters of Indigenous Justice in British Columbia

  • November 29, 2021

CBABC requests that the Province of British Columbia commit to meaningful change to address systemic inequality. Indigenous communities deserve a unique and collaborative approach to justice that addresses the issues prevalent within their population.

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BC Courts

Response from Chief Justice Hinkson: Reforming Court Scheduling

  • November 18, 2021

In September, the Court Services Committee of CBABC made a submission to reform court scheduling entitled Modernizing the Supreme Court of British Columbia’s Scheduling System for Civil Matters. The Chief Justice of the BC Supreme Court has considered this submission and provided a letter in response.

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