Submissions and Legislative Updates

The BC government has established a working group to review the adult abuse and neglect framework contained within the Adult Guardianship Act. The working group would appreciate the input of CBABC in their review. Some topic areas that have been identified for consideration include the scope and application of the Act, responses by designated agencies, and the adult’s involvement in the process and their rights.

The provincial government has introduced an Attorney General Bill for amendments to the Civil Resolution Tribunal Act, Notaries Act and Legal Profession Act.

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.

The Supreme Court Civil Rules will be amended effective December 1, 2021; the changes will include updated provisions to address electronic wills, the forms used in locating an electronic will and forms for applications to administer an estate. In addition, sections 2 and 4 – 10 of the Wills, Estates and Succession Amendment Act, 2020 are brought into force effective October 1, 2021.

Guided by members’ concerns and recommendations, CBABC prepared a written submission to the Supreme Court of British Columbia and the Ministry of Attorney General with recommendations to improve efficiency of court scheduling and e-filing.

CBABC was invited to present before the Standing Committee on Finance and Government Services as part of a public consultation by the provincial government for the 2022 budget.

On July 9, 2021, CBABC delivered its final submissions to the Commission of Inquiry into Money Laundering in British Columbia. CBABC received joint standing with the Criminal Defense Advocacy Society to participate in the Commission in the fall of 2019. Our participation and submissions were not to overlap with those of the Law Society of BC.

Issued by the Wills and Trust Vancouver Section