British Columbia Supreme Court Civil and Family Rules Committee
Last updated on September 16, 2024The British Columbia Supreme Court Civil & Family Rules Committee (the "Rules Committee") provides advice and makes recommendations on changes to the Supreme Court Rules that are fair, sustainable and have the public's confidence.
The British Columbia Supreme Court Civil and Family Rules Committee evaluates court rules changes proposed by members of the judiciary, the legal profession, government ministries and the public. It engages the legal profession, members of the public and other users of the courts. It also advises the Attorney General on issues affecting access to justice that might be addressed through the court rules.
On this page
Current members
The current members of the Rules Committee are as follows:
- Barbara Carmichael, KC (Chair)
- Justice Wendy Baker
- Associate Judge John Bilawich
- Justice Lauren Blake
- Jennifer Brun, KC
- Tanya Chamberlain
- Paul Craven
- Justice David Crerar
- Registrar Meg Gaily
- Justice Lisa Hamilton
- Justice Jacqueline Hughes
- Michael Kleisinger
- Lindsay LeBlanc, KC
- Maureen Lundell, KC
- Justice Francesca Marzari
- Stephanie Melvin
- Associate Judge Shelagh Scarth
- Associate Judge Steven Schwartz
- Krista Simon
- Justice Ronald Tindale
- Justice William Veenstra
Paralegal attendees
- Wendy Matthews
- Michèle Ross
For more information about the Committee, view the Rules Committee's terms of reference.
Recent rule changes
| In effect | Details |
|---|---|
| December 1, 2024 | Supreme Court Family Rule Amendments to implement procedures for s. 23.2 of the federal Divorce Act (Canada), which grants the right to bring and participate in Divorce Act claims in either official language. |
| September 9, 2024 | Miscellaneous Rule Amendments, including rules with respect to commissioning an affidavit remotely. |
| March 6, 2024 | Removal of outdated gendered and binary language. |
| January 15, 2024 | Replacement of the title of “master” with the title of “associate judge” and Miscellaneous Rule Amendments. |
| November 15, 2023 | Miscellaneous Rule Amendments, including amendments related to addresses for service, trial management conferences, and trial briefs. Addition of case planning conferences in the Supreme Court Family Rules. |
| September 1, 2023 | Supreme Court Family Rule Amendments to implement procedures for orders under Part 1 of the Family Orders and Agreements Enforcement Assistance Act (Canada). |
Current consultation
Access to family law files
The Rules Committee is currently reviewing access to family files under Supreme Court Family Rule 22-8 – Searches.
Concerns have been raised with respect to the privacy interests of children and the potential for inappropriate use of sensitive information within documents such as affidavits and other materials filed in family litigation.
The Rules Committee invites comments on their consultation paper (PDF, 131KB). The consultation paper presents options for reform of access to family law files. Your input will be used to inform the development of proposed changes to the Supreme Court Family Rules.
Please provide feedback on the proposed options by November 30, 2024 to:
AGSupremeCourtRulesCommittee@gov.bc.ca
Contact us
To provide suggestions for potential amendments or changes to the rules, contact AGSupremeCourtRulesCommittee@gov.bc.ca.
For information on other consultations, see Statutes, regulations and policy.