Effective date: 19 December 2024
CRIM 04
Purpose
To ensure criminal trials and hearings, once commenced, are concluded within a reasonable time.
Application
This practice direction applies to criminal matters in all court locations in the Province.
Directions
- When a scheduled criminal trial or hearing has not been completed in the time provided, the court will schedule the continuation of the matter as soon as possible and without undue delay, having regard to the nature of the proceeding, the age of the case and any other factors which impact the urgency of the matter. The goal is for the continuation to be scheduled so that the matter concludes within the timeframe set out by the Supreme Court of Canada in R. v. Jordan, 2016 SCC 27 and any further developments in the law.
- The Judicial Case Manager has the discretion to put the matter before the trial judge, Regional Administrative Judge or Local Liaison Judge (where applicable) for direction by a judge.
I make this practice direction pursuant to my authority under the Provincial Court Act, R.S.B.C. 1996, c. 379, and Rule 3 of the Criminal Caseflow Management Rules.
Melissa Gillespie
Chief Judge
Provincial Court of British Columbia
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