Supreme Court Rules Revision Committee

Notices to the Profession

The Committee and its Mandate

MEMBERS:

The Honourable Mr. Justice Smith (Chair)
The Honourable Madam Justice Dillon
The Honourable Mr. Justice Joyce
The Honourable Mr. Justice Powers
The Honourable Madam Justice Dickson
Master McCallum
Master Young
Mr. Kenneth G. Downing, Q.C., Legislative Counsel
Mr. J. E. (Ted) Gouge, Q.C.
Mr. Kenneth McEwan, Q.C.
Mr. Peter Behie, Q.C.
Mr. Dinyar Marzban, Q.C.
Mr. Daniel Bennett
Ms. Marguerite Church
Mr. Eugene Raponi, Q.C.
The Honourable Chief Justice Robert J. Bauman (ex officio)
Mr. David Loukidelis Deputy Attorney General (ex officio)
Ms. Jill Leacock (Law Officer) - Secretary

The Honourable Mr. Justice Macaulay (Past Chair)
 


The Court Rules Act, R.S.B.C. 1996, c. 80 provides that the Lieutenant Governor in Council has the power to make rules governing the conduct of litigation in the Supreme Court. The Rules Revision Committee ("Committee") assists the Attorney General in making recommendations for rule changes to the Lieutenant Governor in Council. The Attorney General appoints the members of the Committee by ministerial order, usually after consultation with the Chief Justice and the Chair. The Committee includes judges, masters, representatives of court services, legislative counsel and members of the private bar. The members of the private bar are chosen for their expertise in civil or family litigation and also broadly represent larger and smaller areas of the province.

The Committee meets regularly throughout the year to discuss proposals for rule changes expressed by the Judiciary, the Profession, and the Attorney General's department. The composition of the Committee, together with a policy of expansive consultation, ensures that proposed amendments to the Rules are evaluated in the broadest context.

Once the Committee makes recommendations to the Attorney General, the Attorney General then consults with the Chief Justice, as is required by the Court Rules Act, regarding the proposed changes before presenting them to Cabinet. With the exception of some stand-alone amendments, proposed rule amendments are presented to Cabinet each spring for enactment on July 1st. Upon Cabinet approval, the amendments are enacted by Order in Council.

The Committee welcomes comments, suggestions, and even criticism from the Court, members of the bar and the public related to its work. We also appreciate receiving copies of judgments that identify any ambiguities or anomalies in the Rules. Please forward your comments to the Rules Revision Committee, Attention: Jill Leacock , Secretary, c/o 800 Smithe Street, Vancouver, BC V6Z 2E1

Fax: (604) 660-1723

Email: jill.leacock@courts.gov.bc.ca

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