The Advocate

14/07/2025

The BC Supreme Court invites members of the bar to comment on the issues they see in chambers practice and provide suggestions for improvement. Comments can be provided by email to [email protected] until Sep 5, 2025. More details attached.

12/07/2025

The BC Supreme Court has struck a Civil and Family Chambers Practice Working Group to review the current practices and procedures for both regular and long chambers, and to consider potential changes with a view to providing a more timely and efficient chambers process. The Court invites interested members of the bar, litigants, organizations, and the public to comment on the issues they see arising in chambers practice and provide suggestions for improvement.

08/07/2025

Both the Supreme Court and Provincial Court issued notices with respect to scheduling during the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

https://www.bccourts.ca/supreme_court/announcements/2025/Notice_Court_Operations_FIFA.pdf

https://provincialcourt.bc.ca/system/files/Notice-35.pdf

24/06/2025

Chief Judge Melissa Gillespie announced today that Judge Susan Sangha is appointed as an Associate Chief Judge effective August 1, 2025 to December 31, 2027.

09/06/2025

Chief Judge Gillespie has announced the appointment of Collen Spier as a new judge of the Provincial Court. Judge Spier will be sworn in on July 7, 2025. She will be assigned to the Vancouver Island region with chambers in Nanaimo.

09/06/2025

On Monday, June 9, 2025, a new Supreme Court registry will open at the Port Coquitlam Law Courts and full registry services will be available. The address for the Port Coquitlam Law Courts is:
2620 Mary Hill Road
Port Coquitlam BC V3C 3B2

The Supreme Court of British Columbia is the province's superior trial court. The Supreme Court is a court of general and inherent jurisdiction which means that it can hear any type of case, civil or criminal. It hears most appeals from the Provincial Court in civil and criminal cases and appeals fr...

30/05/2025

The BC Supreme Court has struck a Reconciliation Working Group to examine the Court’s role in advancing reconciliation. The Court invites comments by email to [email protected] until September 30, 2025.

09/05/2025

The Advocate is saddened to learn of the passing of the Honourable John Hunter, one of the titans of our profession. We miss him dearly.

With sadness, we advise of the passing of The Honourable John J.L. Hunter, K.C., one of the founders of Hunter Litigation Chambers. Last year, John returned to the firm after serving seven years as a Justice of the Court of Appeal for British Columbia. Prior to his judicial appointment, he had enjoy...

06/05/2025

Congratulations to the new King's Counsel appointees, including the Advocate's very own Jon Sigurdson!

Twenty-nine lawyers are receiving the King’s Counsel (KC) designation for 2024 for making exceptional contributions to the legal profession in British Columbia.

01/05/2025

26/04/2025

Chief Judge Gillespie has issued an update to CRIM 05 Hearing of Bail Applications effective Monday April 28, 2025.

Our mission is to be a fair, easy-to-access, innovative court that works efficiently and ensures justice for everyone.

26/04/2025

The BC Supreme Court has issued Criminal Practice Direction 10 (CPD-10), which revises the process for ensuring an accused person has been advised of their official language rights under s. 530 of the Criminal Codehttps://www.bccourts.ca/supreme_court/practice_and_procedure/practice_directions_and_notices/Criminal/CPD-10_Language_of_the_Accused_with_AppendixA_final.pdf