Submissions

"While I respect the amount of work that went into your submissions, I strongly disagree with your assertion that 'there is no firm support for the conclusion… that the automobile insurance system in British Columbia needs to be substantially overhauled.'"

"Thank you for your letter dated July 7, 2020 and for the opportunity to provide input into your proposals on postponing jury trials for civil matters and the use of binding arbitration for motor vehicle actions, as the justice system attempts to manage the backlog of cases that has increased during this COVID-19 pandemic."

"Over the past several months during the state of emergency, lawyers have assisted clients from vulnerable populations to understand and apply to the special COVID fund supports. Lawyers have ensured that our construction and real estate industries continued with the timely flow of money to complete projects and transactions to keep those parts of the economy going."

"CBABC supports the recommendation of the 2005 report of the British Columbia Law Institute (“Report”) to adopt the Uniform Civil Enforcement of Money Judgements Act to modernize, harmonize and consolidate the law governing enforcement of money judgements." - Jef Poulsen, Co-Chair Insolvency Section of the CBA BC Branch

"We ask you to allocate funding and accelerate the work of the Court Digital Transformation Strategy, to enable British Columbians – no matter where they live – to access the courts and justice services using digital technology. This includes providing British Columbians in smaller and remote communities, including Indigenous communities, with publicly accessible spaces to digitally access the courts and justice services."

The within submissions summarize the response of the CBABC Automobile Insurance Working Group (“AIWG”) to the proposed changes respecting the handling of motor vehicle accident claims in British Columbia.

This submission was prepared by the CBABC Access to Justice Committee (the “AJC”), a standing committee of the CBABC. The AJC works to improve and promote access to justice for the poor and middle classes in BC. The AJC stresses government responsibility for a sufficiently publicly funded legal aid system as an essential foundation, promotes pro bono services in the legal profession, and supports innovative legal system reform and delivery options for greater access to legal services.

"The CBABC asks that the Supreme Court of British Columbia and the Ministry of the Attorney General direct its attention to this urgent matter to rectify the challenges of executors and administrators who are required to obtain an Estate Grant in order to administer an estate."

"On April 8, 2020, the CBABC provided a briefing note to the Ministry of Attorney General which outlines concerns our members have with respect to the witnessing of wills, in light of physical distancing requirements during the pandemic. A copy of that brief is attached. I understand that Ron Usher, General Counsel for the Society of Notaries has also been in touch with the Ministry about witnessing requirements for wills, powers of attorney and representation agreements during COVID-19."

"Thank you for your letter of March 19, 2020, regarding the operation of British Columbia’s land title system during the COVID-19 pandemic and your concerns regarding the health and safety of legal professionals during this time."