Difference between revisions of "Recent Changes to Family Law in British Columbia"

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(Acknowledging work done to update JPBOFL re Provincial Court changes since 2022)
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*new tools to help judges to manage court processes.  
*new tools to help judges to manage court processes.  


In 2019, the Provincial Court established a pilot project in the Victoria courthouse aimed at the early resolution of family law disputes. A whole new set of court rules were developed, and in May 2021, the new Provincial Court Family Rules came into effect. As a result, we are working on updating all references and discussions related to family matters in the Provincial Court. In the meantime, portions of [[JP Boyd on Family Law]] that talk about Provincial Court processes, rules, and forms should be considered out-of-date.
In 2019, the Provincial Court established a pilot project in the Victoria courthouse aimed at the early resolution of family law disputes. A whole new set of court rules were developed, and in May 2021, the new Provincial Court Family Rules came into effect. As a result, we began to update all references and discussions related to family matters in the Provincial Court. Portions of [[JP Boyd on Family Law]] that talk about Provincial Court processes, rules, and forms should be read with care and reference to other sources such as Legal Aid BC's Family Law in BC [https://www.clicklaw.bc.ca/resource/4640 website] for information about Provincial (Family) Court.


In 2020, the ''Family Law Act'' was changed to cover the arbitration of family law disputes, in terms very different from those of the old ''Arbitration Act'', and the Victoria pilot project was expanded to include the Surrey courthouse. Of course, 2020 was also the year that the spread of COVID-19 resulted in huge changes to day-to-day court processes.
In 2020, the ''Family Law Act'' was changed to cover the arbitration of family law disputes, in terms very different from those of the old ''Arbitration Act'', and the Victoria pilot project was expanded to include the Surrey courthouse. Of course, 2020 was also the year that the spread of COVID-19 resulted in huge changes to day-to-day court processes.
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==New Rules, Forms and Processes for the BC Provincial Court==
==New Rules, Forms and Processes for the BC Provincial Court==


In May 2021, the Provincial Court adopted a new set of Provincial Court Family Rules while also expanding its use of Early Resolution Registries. These were big changes which resulted in much of the discussion and references to Provincial Court rules, forms, and procedures in [[JP Boyd on Family Law]] (which were reviewed in 2019) to be out-of-date. While the major changes have now been addressed in the resource, readers should still make sure that they consult other sources as well.  
In May 2021, the Provincial Court adopted a new set of Provincial Court Family Rules while also expanding its use of Early Resolution Registries. These were big changes which resulted in much of the discussion and references to Provincial Court rules, forms, and procedures in [[JP Boyd on Family Law]] (which were reviewed in 2019) to be out-of-date. While major changes have now been addressed in this resource, readers should still make sure that they consult other sources such as Legal Aid BC's Family Law in BC [https://www.clicklaw.bc.ca/resource/4640 website] for information about Provincial (Family) Court.  


Details about how the new rules and the early resolution process work is available from the provincial government on its website. You can read an overview about the Early Resolution Process published by the [https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/life-events/divorce/family-justice/your-options/early-resolution BC Government], and read a summary about how [https://www.provincialcourt.bc.ca/enews/enews-27-04-2021 the new Provincial Court Family Rules have changed.]
Details about how the new rules and the early resolution process work is available from the provincial government on its website. You can read an overview about the Early Resolution Process published by the [https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/life-events/divorce/family-justice/your-options/early-resolution BC Government], and read a summary about how [https://www.provincialcourt.bc.ca/enews/enews-27-04-2021 the new Provincial Court Family Rules have changed.]
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*[https://www.provincialcourt.bc.ca/enews/enews-27-04-2021 What you need to know about the Provincial Court Family Rules?]
*[https://www.provincialcourt.bc.ca/enews/enews-27-04-2021 What you need to know about the Provincial Court Family Rules?]
*[https://www2.gov.bc.ca/assets/gov/law-crime-and-justice/about-bc-justice-system/justice-reform-initiatives/family-civil/pcrf-explained.pdf Provincial Court Family Rules Explained]
*[https://www2.gov.bc.ca/assets/gov/law-crime-and-justice/about-bc-justice-system/justice-reform-initiatives/family-civil/pcrf-explained.pdf Provincial Court Family Rules Explained]
* Legal Aid BC's [https://www.clicklaw.bc.ca/resource/4640 Family Law in BC website]




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