BC Court of Appeal Update
The Court of Appeal will continue to hear appeals and chambers applications during the FIFA World Cup Period (June 12 to July 8, 2026). Parties should be prepared for those proceedings to be converted to virtual hearings using Zoom if required.
BC Supreme Court Update
In July 2025, the Court announced that some types of court proceedings would not be heard during the FIFA Period (June 12, 2026 to July 8, 2026) in the following court locations: Vancouver, New Westminster, Abbotsford and Chilliwack. The adjustments were designed to ensure the Court maintains sufficient capacity to handle urgent matters and emergency hearings during the FIFA Period and to protect the safety and security of court participants, court proceedings and courthouses.
The planning for the 2026 FIFA World Cup has progressed, and the Court has identified opportunities to schedule additional proceedings during the FIFA Period. While the Court recognizes the challenges for parties, counsel, and witnesses to attend the courthouse during the FIFA Period, scheduling additional proceedings will allow the Court to maintain access to justice as much as is feasible during the FIFA Period.
Provincial Court of BC Update
Chief Judge Gillespie has issued an update effective [February 6] to Notice 35 Provincial Court Operations During FIFA World Cup 2026 making multiple scheduling adjustments as further information has become available about the World Cup. The Court will continue to update this notice and make announcements here on our website as further information becomes available.
On February 10, Section 1.b regarding proceedings where police attendance is not required is updated to remove the statement that there will be no in person hearings at Vancouver Criminal Court on Match days.