Civil and Criminal Policy and Legislation Division

The Civil and Criminal Policy and Legislation Division is responsible for legislation, policy and law reform in the areas of the Attorney General's mandate. On the civil law side, this includes all statutes related to succession (wills, estates), torts, enforcement of judgments, contracts, trusts, public law, and private international law. The office works with a variety of stakeholders to develop ways to improve public access to justice services. Its mandate is to:

• Provide high quality policy advice and analysis on private civil and public law legislation and issues
• Engage in law reform that is needs-based and user-centred
• Develop laws that are fair, modern, and understandable to the public

Visit the Statutes, regulations and policy section of the ministry's web site for consultations currently underway.

On the criminal law side, the Civil and Criminal Policy and Legislation Division is responsible for:

• Integrating policy and research activities throughout the criminal justice system and facilitating discussions system-wide
• Collaborating in federal-provincial-territorial policy and research on special topics and advocating for B.C.-specific perspectives to be considered in the development of criminal law reforms
• Providing coordinated justice and public safety input in response to federal consultations on criminal justice
• Leading policy work and legislative reforms to support the mandate of the Independent Investigations Office

Some Recent Programs and Initiatives

• ​Developed the new Intimate Images Protection Act
• Worked with the Ministry of Education and Child Care to develop the new Safe Access to Schools Act
• Worked across government to develop the Economic Stabilization (Tariff Response) Act
• Developed the new Legal Professions Act and continue to support the implementation of a single regulator for all legal professionals in B.C.
• Extensive work with Indigenous partners including various reforms to implement government’s treaty commitments to Modern Treaty First Nations around the enforcement of their laws
• Led work with Cowichan Tribes to co-develop Provincial Court (Snuw’uy’ulhtst tu Quw’utsun Mustimuhw u’ tu Shhw’a’luqwa’a’ i’ Smun’eem [Laws of the Cowichan People for Families and Children]) Rules that apply to child protection cases in Provincial Court under the provisions of the Snuw’uy’ulhtst tu Quw’utsun Mustimuhw u’ tu Shhw’a’luqwa’a’ i’ Smun’eem [Laws of the Cowichan People for Families and Children]. As of August 1, 2024, Cowichan Tribes now has full responsibility over child and family services for its citizens