The Provincial Court website contains a series of eNews articles written by judges and judicial justices to describe what happens at various proceedings in Provincial Court and offer suggestions on how to prepare for them. These articles are provided for information only - they cannot be used as legal advice or authority in court or other legal proceedings.
Note: In May 2020, the Court began conducting its family and small claims conferences by telephone, audio- or video-conferencing rather than in courthouse conference rooms. The procedure described in articles written before May 2020 will have changed from an in-person meeting with a judge to one of these “remote” or “virtual” options, and they should be read with this in mind.
Some hearings or parts of hearings are also being held by telephone, audio- or video-conference. New articles have been added to explain what to expect in conferences and hearings held in one of these ways. Find more information at Virtual conferences and hearings (by phone or video).
What can I expect:
Small Claims
- at a family or small claims conference held by telephone or video?
- at a family or small claims hearing held by telephone or video?
- at a Small Claims Settlement Conference?
- at a Small Claims Trial Conference?
- from the judge at a settlement or trial conference?
- at a Small Claims Trial?
- at a Small Claims Trial – modified procedures to meet the parties’ needs
- at a Small Claims payment hearing?
- at a Small Claims default hearing?
Family
- at a family or small claims conference held by telephone or video?
- at a family or small claims hearing held by telephone or video?
- at a Family Management Conference?
- at a Family Settlement Conference?
- at a Family court trial or hearing?
- at a Family Maintenance Enforcement Act default or committal hearing?
- if I receive an Interjurisdictional Support Act application made outside BC to obtain or change a support order?
- if I want to make an Interjurisdictional Support Act application to get or change a support order when the other party lives outside BC?
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How do I:
This website provides general information only and should not be used as legal advice. Updated October, 2020