Effective September 9, 2024, the Supreme Court Civil Rules and the Supreme Court Family Rules were amended pursuant to OIC No. 378/2024.
COVID-19 Notice No. 2 (Notice to the Public Regarding Affidavits for Use in Court Proceedings) made accommodations for the commissioning of affidavits in circumstances where it was not possible or medically safe for the deponent to attend before a commissioner. These accommodations were made in consultation with the Law Society of British Columbia, which sets requirements for the commissioning of affidavits in the Code of Professional Conduct for British Columbia. In July 2024, section 1 of Appendix A of the Code of Professional Conduct for British Columbia was amended to allow for the execution of affidavits using electronic and video technology. Additionally, the Supreme Court Rules have been amended to provide for the swearing or affirming of affidavits by video, as follows:
- Supreme Court Civil Rule 22-2(6.1); and
- Supreme Court Family Rule 10-4(6.1).
Accordingly, COVID-19 Notice No. 2 is rescinded.
Dated September 9, 2024 at Vancouver, British Columbia
By Direction of Acting Chief Justice Heather Holmes
Supreme Court of British Columbia