In-person hearings have resumed in 28 locations across the province as of June 15. One courtroom will be open for in-person appearances at each courthouse, and follows up on the court’s move to resume in-person proceedings at two courtrooms in Surrey, Victoria, Prince George, Kelowna and at two courthouses in Vancouver.
For most cases, the processes set out in this notice, including remote proceedings, will continue. Criminal, family, small claims and youth court trials and hearings scheduled after July 3 will remain on the trial list on the date scheduled. The court notes that counsel and self-represented litigants should attend court on the date scheduled to advise if they are ready to proceed that day. The court will determine which trials will proceed.
The provincial court has also implemented a practice direction on pretrial conferences for criminal files (adult and youth) at all provincial court locations in the province. The direction also represents one of the steps the court is taking to increase court operations during the COVID-19 pandemic while ensuring public health continues to be protected.