BC residents can seek help on Provincial and Supreme Court processes remotely
British Columbia has rolled out a new virtual counter to digitally connect the province’s residents to court registry staff.
Residents may seek free assistance on Provincial and Supreme Court processes – both civil and criminal – and obtain links to resources via phone or videoconference. Links may be disseminated through Microsoft Teams, SMS (via Waitwell), or email.
Each session may last as long as 20 minutes. One queue has been established to facilitate equal levels of service across the province.
Virtual counter operators can help residents with the following concerns:
- explaining steps in family, civil, small claims or criminal matters
- clarifying next steps on receipt of a court order, notice or registry correspondence
- directing people to the correct registry, online service, or resource
- explaining required forms and how to complete them
- using electronic court systems to confirm existing information like remand days, chambers schedules or small claims sittings
The staff will issue confirmations via email or text and can arrange follow-up discussions. They may also leverage regional expertise as necessary. However, operators cannot offer legal advice, assist in forms completion, or book court dates.
According to the government, the fully operational, centralized service is in line with BC’s efforts to modernize its court systems, particularly for residents who struggle to access court services in person.
“The virtual counter marks a major step forward in modernizing how people receive court services. Virtual counter helps replace overloaded phone lines with a system that is clearer, faster and more inclusive for everyone in our province,” said Court Registries registry technician Lain Nicoll in a statement.
About 1,500 residents have utilized the counter since its pilot project debut in November 2024. According to the BC government, the service has been met with positive feedback especially from self-representing litigants and residents with accessibility or mobility needs.
The counter follows provincial privacy policies and protocols, the government said.
Last year on CL Talk, BC attorney general and deputy premier Niki Sharma highlighted technological reform in the court as an area of focus for her.
