Please be advised that Chief Justice Skolrood has issued/updated the following five practice directions relating to virtual hearings and video appearances:
- Practice Direction 71 - Manner of Attendance for Case Planning Conferences and Judicial Management Conferences provides that effective May 4, 2026, the default manner of attendance at CPCs and JMCs is by video.
- Practice Direction 72 - Electronic Application Records (Associate Judges Chambers Pilot Project) and Practice Direction 73 - Virtual Chambers (Associate Judges Chamber Pilot Project) have been issued and replace Practice Direction 68 - Associate Judges Chambers Project.
- PD-73 expands access to virtual chambers to include New Westminster. Under PD-73, parties may schedule short applications (30 minutes or less) before an associate judge in virtual chambers, except in proceedings filed in the Vancouver Registry. For proceedings in the New Westminster registry, applications may be heard in virtual chambers beginning on June 1, 2026.
- Practice Direction 66 - Foreclosure Proceedings has been updated to clarify that applications in foreclosure proceedings, except applications for approval of sale, may be scheduled in virtual chambers in accordance with PD-73.
- Practice Direction 74 - Remote Attendance at Applications, Trial Management Conferences and Hearings and Pre-Hearing Conferences before the Registrar sets out factors the court will consider when determining an application for remote attendance. PD-74 requires parties and counsel who wish to appear remotely to provide the court with sufficient information to determine the request.
Please see the announcement on the Court’s website, here, for more information about these changes.