Associate judges were formerly known as masters and they hear and dispose of a wide variety of applications in Supreme Court chambers. Effective January 15, 2024, the Supreme Court of British Columbia amended the Supreme Court Act to replace the title of “master” with the title of “associate judge” in this act and other acts. The change aligns with the ongoing modernization of the courts to provide more contemporary and inclusive language and to remove terms that carry negative historical and cultural connotations.
Forms of address for associate judges can be found in Practice Direction 64 (PD-64) issued on January 15, 2024.
The role and jurisdiction of associate judges remains the same and is detailed in Practice Direction 50.
Content reviewed January 22, 2024
- Order in Council 695/2023 – BC Laws
- Practice Direction 64 – Form of Address – BC Supreme Court
- Practice Direction 50 - Associate Judges' Jurisdiction - BC Courts