British Columbia Supreme Court Civil and Family Rules Committee
Last updated on November 6, 2025The British Columbia Supreme Court Civil and 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.
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Current members
The current members of the Rules Committee are as follows:
- Deputy Attorney General, Barbara Carmichael, KC (Chair)
- Justice Wendy Baker
- Associate Judge John Bilawich
- Justice Lauren Blake
- Jennifer Brun, KC
- Tanya Chamberlain
- Assistant Deputy Minister, Justice Services Branch, Paul Craven
- Justice David Crerar
- Registrar Meg Gaily
- Justice Lisa Hamilton
- Justice Jacqueline Hughes
- Michael Kleisinger
- Maureen Lundell, KC
- Justice Francesca Marzari
- Stephanie Melvin
- Jodi Roach
- 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. |
| July 2, 2024 | Rule Amendments to address the use of electronic transcripts. |
| March 6, 2024 | Removal of outdated gendered and binary language.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 | Supreme Court Family Rule Amendments to implement procedures for orders under Part 1 of the Family Orders and Agreements Enforcement Assistance Act (Canada). |
| September 1, 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. |
Current consultation
The Rules Committee is currently reviewing the Supreme Court Civil Rules Appendix B: Party and Party Costs.
The cost regime for Supreme Court civil matters, and specifically the civil tariff, last updated in 2004, requires review to ensure it is meeting the objectives of costs awards and reflects actual legal costs.
The purpose of this Consultation Paper is to present and request feedback on suggested changes to the civil tariff (Supreme Court Civil Rules Appendix B: Party and Party Costs) which governs awards of costs in the great majority of civil proceedings in British Columbia, as well as to the provisions of Rule 15 governing costs in Fast Track Litigation.
The Rules Committee invites comments on their Consultation Paper Cost Awards, (PDF, 190KB). The consultation paper presents:
- Appendix 1 – Proposed revisions to Supreme Court Civil Rules Appendix B: Party and Party Costs (PDF, 238KB)
- Appendix 2 – Cost Awards (PDF, 216KB) – includes four sample bills of costs which have been prepared to illustrate the effect of the proposed change to the tariff
For reference, please see the current Supreme Court Rules Appendix B: Party and Party Costs.
Please provide your input by email to AGSupremeCourtRulesCommittee@gov.bc.ca. We thank you in advance for your time and considerations on this complex topic. We look forward to being able to provide an effective and responsive approach to cost awards.
This consultation will close end of day December 18, 2025.
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.