2024

This practice direction is to improve the clarity of publication bans made in criminal proceedings, and the accuracy of court records documenting them. It will also make information about the terms and the duration of bans more accessible to parties and other interested people while the proceedings are taking place in the Court, as well as later when there is a reason to consult the court record.

Effective July 12

From the Ministry of Attorney General: "More people throughout the province will have access to a service that helps resolve family law matters earlier."

The Judicial Council, who recommends candidates for judicial office, has just released their Annual Report 2023. The number of applications to become a Provincial Court judge doubled from 23 in 2022 to 46 in 2023.

The B.C. government and Cowichan Tribes have co-developed new Provincial Court Rules for matters brought to it under an Indigenous law.

The new judges appointed to the Provincial Court are: Parveen Nijjar (effective July 25, 2024); and Paul Pearson (effective July 25, 2024).

The Canadian Bar Association, BC Branch honoured Linda D. Locke, KC, a Hazelton-based lawyer, with the prestigious Georges A. Goyer, QC Memorial Award for Distinguished Service. This accolade, the most esteemed recognition granted by the Branch, was presented during the 38th annual Vancouver Bench & Bar Dinner.

The Globalaw Foundation is proud to support the Aboriginal Lawyers Forum Warrior Project, which helps fund articling positions for Indigenous students in British Columbia. As part of its Americas Regional Meeting (GLARM) in Vancouver, Canada, Globalaw donated CAD $10,000 to invest in future legal warriors.

Access to justice not achieved by undermining lawyer independence

“I wish Justices Fleming, Iyer, Hoffman, Hamilton, Ramsay, Laurie, and Latimer every success as they take on their new roles. I am confident they will serve the people of British Columbia well as members of the Court of Appeal for British Columbia and the Supreme Court of British Columbia.” —The Hon. Arif Virani, Minister of Justice and Attorney General of Canada