Supporting earlier resolution in civil, family B.C. Supreme Court matters

Source: British Columbia - Government News
Date: 2026-09-14 18:30:00.0
Tags: [British Columbia, Justice, Governance]

Effective October 1, 2026, the Supreme Court of British Columbia will implement a new "serve, then file" process for civil and family chambers applications, as recommended by the Supreme Court Civil and Family Rules Committee. Under this amended procedure overseen by Attorney General Niki Sharma, parties must exchange application materials and attempt resolution before booking a court hearing or filing documents with the court registry. The regulatory change aims to decrease unnecessary hearings and adjournments for matters such as parenting arrangements, child support, property disputes, and money owed, while improving overall access to justice. Litigants can utilize government-provided free resources, including the Virtual Counter and Justice Access Centres, to navigate the updated court rules and procedures.