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British Columbia Supreme Court Civil and Family Rules Committee

Last updated on March 31, 2026

The 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

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March 6, 2024 Removal of outdated gendered and binary language.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

Want of Prosecution Rule and Form Amendment

The Rules Committee is currently reviewing a proposal to change the ‘want of prosecution’ provisions in the Supreme Court of Civil Rules. The change would allow for dismissal of civil cases due to the plaintiff not advancing an action within a certain amount of time.

These changes are meant to encourage parties to civil cases to be proactive and develop plans for advancing any matters they bring before the court.

The changes would not apply to family claims or rules.

The Rules Committee invites comments on their consultation paper (PDF,127KB), which considers whether to move forward with the proposal, and presents two options. The Rules Committee is interested in all forms of feedback, but particularly feedback about possible unforeseen consequences of the proposed changes.

Please provide feedback on the proposed options by May 22, 2026 to:

AGSupremeCourtRulesCommittee@gov.bc.ca

For information on other consultations, see Statutes, regulations and policy.