– By Shreya Bose, Associate Lawyer
Criminal Matters
In a Notice published on May 14, 2020, the BC Supreme Court has advised that they will resume some regular court operations with regard to Criminal matters.
The court has directed that unless the court otherwise directs, all criminal trials, voir dires and pre-trial applications, and extradition hearings currently set between June 1-5, 2020 are postponed to a particular date (which is set out in the Notice). All criminal matters set after June 8, 2020 are expected to proceed in the usual fashion, with the Court advising that “the situation will continue to be assessed, taking into account the many factors affecting the Court’s capacity to hear these types of matters during the pandemic.”
Civil and Family Matters
Similarly, in a Notice published on May 13, 2020, the BC Supreme Court has advised that they will also be resuming some regular court operations for civil and family law matters.
Civil and family trials that are scheduled to begin between June 1-5, 2020 are postponed to a date in the future. Trials set on or after June 8, 2020, are set to proceed with the court advising again, that they cannot guarantee that these matters will proceed as scheduled. Civil jury trials set on or before September 7, 2020 are suspended pursuant to an earlier Notice.
The Notice also sets out specific instructions for rescheduling of Trial Management Conferences (TMCs) set between March 19 and May 29, 2020 and instructions for TMCs that are to take place on or after June 1, 2020.