By default, parties will attend case planning, judicial management conferences by video
The Supreme Court of British Columbia has announced an expansion of access to virtual hearings and video appearances in civil and family proceedings, including case planning conferences (CPCs) and judicial management conferences (JMCs).
According to the update, these reforms aim to help the court modernize the civil justice system, efficiently utilize judicial resources, improve affordability, and promote access to justice. The expansion reflects input received during the court’s chambers consultation.
To this end, Ronald Skolrood, chief justice of the BC Supreme Court, issued four practice directions regarding virtual hearings and video appearances.
Practice Direction 71
According to this practice direction, by default, parties attending CPCs and JMCs in civil and family proceedings will do so by video as of May 4. Parties should provide an email address for scheduling purposes.
The court’s update noted that a party can ask for the court’s permission to change the manner of attendance by filing a requisition.
Practice Directions 72, 73
Replacing Practice Direction 68, these two practice directions focus on the Associate Judges Chambers Project.
Per Practice Direction 72, parties can electronically submit application records for some matters. This change aims to lower costs and help the court more flexibly manage in-person and virtual chambers hearings.
Practice Direction 73 expands virtual chambers access to cover proceedings in the New Westminster registry, effective June 1. Parties can schedule short applications lasting up to 30 minutes before an associate judge in virtual chambers, except in proceedings filed in the Vancouver registry. In virtual chambers, parties appear by video by default.
An update to Practice Direction 66 clarifies that the court can schedule applications in foreclosure proceedings, except for sale approval applications, in virtual chambers pursuant to Practice Direction 73.
Practice Direction 74
This practice direction lists the factors the court will consider when determining an application for remote attendance for an application, a trial management conference, a hearing, or a pre-hearing conference before the registrar in civil and family proceedings.
The overarching considerations are the right to a fair hearing, access to justice, and proportionate conduct of the proceedings.
The practice direction requires parties and counsel seeking to appear remotely to provide enough information for the court to determine the request.
