COVID-19: Adjournment of Trials and Other In-Person Proceedings
Notice to the Profession, the Public and the Media
COVID-19: ADJOURNMENT OF TRIALS AND OTHER IN-PERSON PROCEEDINGS
COVID-19 Notice No. 45
Date: December 31, 2021
Given the rapid and concerning recent increase in COVID-19 cases in the province, the Supreme Court is
reducing the number of in-person proceedings scheduled to begin or continue during the week of
January 4, 2022.
In-Person Proceedings
An “in-person proceeding” is any proceeding (whether a trial or another form of hearing) for which it is
contemplated that one or more parties, counsel, or witnesses will attend for the proceeding in person in
a courthouse. This notice does not affect proceedings for which arrangements have already been made
for all parties, counsel, and witnesses (if any) to participate by remote means, such as MS Teams or
telephone.
NEW MATTERS
Trials and Other In-Person Proceedings Scheduled to Begin During the Week of Jan. 4-7, 2022
Civil and Family Matters
All in-person civil and family trials and other in-person proceedings scheduled to begin on January 4 (or
during the week of January 4 – 7) are adjourned. Civil and family trials or other in-person proceedings
adjourned as a result of this notice may be rescheduled by contacting Supreme Court Scheduling any
time after (not on) January 5, 2022.
Criminal Matters
Criminal trials and other in-person criminal proceedings scheduled to begin on January 4 (or during the
week of January 4 – 7) are adjourned, except that counsel and the accused person should appear by
telephone at the date and time when the proceeding is scheduled to begin to arrange a new appearance
date. The dial-in number will be provided by Court Services Branch staff or by Supreme Court
Scheduling. Counsel and self-represented accused are asked not to telephone Supreme Court
Scheduling except in situations of urgency.
CONTINUATIONS
Civil, Family, and Criminal Trials or Other In-Person Proceedings Scheduled to Continue During the
Week of Jan. 4-7, 2022
Civil, family, and criminal trials and other in-person criminal proceedings scheduled to continue during
the week of January 4 are adjourned, subject to the following. Counsel or the parties should appear by
telephone at the date and time when the proceeding is scheduled to begin to address with the seized
judge, master, or registrar whether the matter should continue that week. For continuations of criminal
cases, the accused person must appear by telephone or (where available) video for the appearance if
the scheduled proceeding was one for which their appearance was required.
If the judge, master, or registrar determines that the matter should continue during the week of Jan. 4-
7, they will also determine when, during the week, it should continue, taking into account the time
required for participants to travel to the applicable court location, among other factors.
The dial-in number for the telephone conference will be provided by Court Services Branch staff or by
Supreme Court Scheduling. Counsel and parties are asked not to telephone Supreme Court Scheduling
except in situations of urgency.
Hearings for the delivery of reasons for judgment and sentencing proceedings are considered
continuations. For short continuations such as those, the seized judge, master, or registrar may direct in
advance, through Supreme Court Scheduling, that the matter will continue as scheduled, or may direct a
telephone conference in advance of the scheduled continuation date.
Costs proceedings scheduled after a trial has concluded and reasons for judgement in the trial have
been issued are not considered continuations.
In-Person Proceedings Scheduled to Begin or Continue on January 10 or Later
The situation for in-person proceedings scheduled to begin or continue on January 10, 2022 or later will
be assessed in light of the public health situation on or around January 7, 2022. A revised notice will be
issued at that time.
THE FOREGOING IS SUBJECT TO CHANGE. ANY UPDATED DIRECTIONS WILL BE POSTED ON THE
COURT’S WEBSITE.
Dated December 31, 2021, Vancouver, British Columbia
By Direction of Chief Justice Christopher E. Hinkson
Supreme Court of British Columbia
COVID-19: Adjournment of Trials and Other In-Person Proceedings
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