Courthouse Libraries BC (CLBC) has partnered with the Ministry of Attorney General to provide free access to Court Services Online (CSO) E-search from public computers in our branches across the province. This service lets users view case details and download documents without any fee for using CSO E-search. This is a pilot service, and will be reevaluated in 2025… so use it now and let us know if it’s something you find valuable.

You probably already know that CSO E-search is an excellent research tool. It lets you investigate people and companies to see what cases or court files they’ve been a part of, and it offers access to millions of documents from B.C.’s courts. Come in yourself, or send in associates, assistants, and even your clients to explore civil, appeal, and traffic/criminal case files, and even find examples of pleadings and orders that can be informative precedents. (One trick is to locate on-point cases using CanLII or another research tool, and then call up that case in CSO to see how previous counsel drafted and used pleadings, orders, etc.)

Using CSO E-search at CLBC is straightforward and free: visit any Courthouse Libraries BC branch, sit down at a public computer, and start your search.

CLBC librarians are available to help with navigating CSO E-search and finding the documents you need (we cannot provide document delivery from CSO, however, per our agreement with the Ministry).

Visit the CLBC website for more information and a user guide. Experience the transparency and depth of information CSO E-search brings to your legal research.