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Fifty years ago, on September 13, 1971, Alfred Scow, hereditary chief of the Kwicksutaineuk First Nation on Gilford Island, was appointed a judge of the BC Provincial Court.
Like other courts in BC and around the world, the BC Provincial Court’s Drug Treatment Court of Vancouver (DTCV) suspended in-person courtroom appearances in March 2020 due to Covid-19. But the Court and its dedicated treatment team knew that consistent, continuous support and supervision were crucial for drug court participants.
Although the current BC Small Claims Rules permit parties to make court appearances by telephone in specified situations, they are silent about proceedings being conducted using videoconferencing or audioconferencing and remote attendance in court using this technology.
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.