B.C. Court Services to implement videoconferencing to attend routine matter easier across province

FORT ST. JOHN, B.C. — People across B.C. can now attend court matters in the Supreme Court of British Columbia through videoconferencing. 

According to a news release from the Ministry of Attorney General on May 13, people can attend routine civil and family matters by videoconferencing, making it easier to participate in court proceedings without long commutes, time off work, or travel costs.

The release of videoconferencing attendance for certain scheduled conferences in civil and family cases came into effect on May 4th, 2026. People from Fort St. John will also be able to attend court matters by videoconferencing.  

For people living in a rural area with a routine civil or family matter, this change may mean joining the hearing from home or their office on a phone or laptop, without a commute to a courthouse in a neighbouring jurisdiction, a full day of work, or the need to arrange child care. 

Niki Sharma, the Attorney General of British Columbia, said: “Justice should be accessible no matter where you live.” 

“Letting people join routine court matters by video means fewer long drives, fewer days off work and one less reason to scramble for child care,” she added. “It is a practical step, led by the B.C. Supreme Court, that makes B.C.’s courts work for the realities of people’s lives.” 

The release said new directions from the Supreme Court of B.C. will allow videoconferencing as the default for case planning conferences and judicial management conferences in civil and family proceedings. 

The implementation of these changes will be carried out by the province’s Court Services branch, which manages courtroom administration, as part of its ongoing work to enhance the convenience and efficiency of court processes in B.C. court services to meet the needs of people in B.C. 

People will be able to participate in hearings from the comfort of their homes or other locations, the release said. 

Parliamentary secretary for gender equity, Jennifer Blatherwick, said: “For families and individuals navigating family law matters, getting to court can be costly, intimidating and sometimes even traumatizing.”

“The option to attend court by video can reduce fear, as well as avoid unnecessary contact and retraumatization. Expanding virtual access is about reducing barriers and making the justice system more responsive to people’s real-life circumstances.” 

Judges and associate judges will be able to conduct hearings of proceedings in other locations throughout the province. 

The release said these changes are part of ongoing efforts to modernize court processes in B.C. and complement initiatives the province has implemented. 

A Microsoft Teams link will be sent to participants in these cases before their hearings. 

Additionally, people can apply to the court to attend in person or by phone if videoconferencing does not suit them, at the court’s decision.