eNews: Other Topics
BC’s Provincial Court Judges drive thousands of kilometres a year travelling between more than 80 court locations around the province. Whether their commute takes them through the Deas Island Tunnel from Surrey to Vancouver or along Highway 97 from Dawson Creek to Fort St.
An important factor in the success of the BC Provincial Court’s eNews blog (eNews articles had more than 110,000 page views in 2020 and have surpassed that figure in the first ten months of 2021) is the contribution judges and judicial justices make by sharing stories and photos, suggesting topics, and writing articles explaining court processes to litigants.
BC Judicial Council’s 2020 Annual Report raises fascinating questions. Praised for their transparency, since 1999 the Council’s annual reports have included statistics and demographic information about applicants for appointment as Provincial Court judges and judicial justices.
While not without challenges, the Court’s use of technology during the last year to conduct some types of proceedings has increased access to justice for many people. Among other benefits, it has saved litigants and lawyers from travelling long distances for short court appearances.