New Judges’ Program

Overview

This seminar was intended for the new judges appointed to the Court over the previous year and was designed to supplement the national training provided in the Seminar for Recently Appointed Judges. This program focused on providing participants with specific information on substantive, procedural and administrative issues applicable to trial judges in British Columbia.

Objectives

The objectives of this course were to support newly appointed judges in making a successful transition from lawyer to judge, to equip them with tools, resources, and information pertinent to the Court, and to benefit from the experience and advice of senior judges in an open forum.

Summary

Led by senior judges from the Supreme Court of British Columbia, the Court’s legal counsel and senior administrative staff, participants engaged in discussions covering a wide range of practical and substantive legal issues including: civil chambers and lengthy chamber applications; family law essentials; delivering written and oral judgments; and managing cases with self-represented litigants. There was also a session which canvassed practical issues occurring when sitting in satellite communities including foreclosure and judicial interim release. In addition, the program provided a venue for experienced judges of the Court to share information with their newly appointed colleagues on the particular rules, practices, and procedures of the Court as well as the resources available.