The B.C. Provincial Court has invoked some changes in answer to the corona virus pandemic.
Here's a look:
- Traffic, ticket or bylaw matters scheduled from March 18 to May 4 will be adjourned without the disputant having to attend court and will be rescheduled to a later date. A notice of a new court date will be sent to the disputant by mail to the address on file with the Court.
- Family case conferences, child protection case conferences or small claims case conferences scheduled between March 16 and May 4 will not proceed so the parties do not have to attend court. The parties will receive notification by May 4 regarding the next date they must attend court.
- All bail hearings will use videoconferences and teleconferences instead of in-person appearances, unless a judge or justice orders otherwise.
- On Monday and Tuesday, this week, after hearing submissions, judges will use their discretion to determine if previously-scheduled family, child protection, small claims and criminal trials will proceed on those two days.
- Scheduling and hearing of in-custody criminal trials and sentencing hearings will proceed unless adjourned by the court on application by a party while video conferencing will be encouraged for the hearings.
- Consent remand matters will proceed by telephone or by submitting the consent remand form by email where available.
