Effective date: 4 January 2024
Updated date: 25 July 2025
Purpose
The purpose of this practice direction is to set out the default method for court appearances under the Provincial Court Family Rules, B.C. Reg. 120/2020.
Application
This practice direction applies to all court registries in the Province.
Directions
Rule 163.1(1) of the Provincial Court Family Rules states that the default method of attendance for court appearances is in person. Rule 163.1(2) notes that despite subrule (1) the Chief Judge may direct that a class of court appearances may or must be attended by telephone, video conference or other means of electronic communication. This practice direction modifies Rule 163.1(1) to facilitate the following direction and procedure.