Attorney General
More than 40 court administration staff and justice officials, including members of the judiciary, were part of the official opening of a new training program at the Justice Institute of British Columbia (JIBC) today, Minister of Justice Shirley Bond announced.
The Centre for Court Administration (CCA) will provide training for approximately 700 court administration staff, through online study, virtual classroom work and at JIBC campuses throughout B.C. The program is a partnership between the Ministry of Justice and the Justice Institute. Government has committed $240,000 to assist with establishing the centre and curriculum development.
Court administration employees include court clerks, registry clerks and technicians, senior registry technicians and managers. The CCA will provide both new and existing employees, who work in courthouses throughout the province, the skills and knowledge they need in their front-line role in supporting B.C.'s justice system. As a hiring demand is anticipated, resulting from staff retirements over the next five years, the centre will also play a role in promoting careers in court administration and recruiting new employees.
The official opening of the Centre for Court Administration is just one more step the Province is taking to help reduce pressures on B.C.'s justice system. Just last week, 23 sheriff recruits graduated from the JIBC sheriff academy. These new deputy sheriffs are now supporting the court system in courthouses across the Lower Mainland and in Nelson, Cranbrook, Prince George and Fort St. John.
Quotes:
Minister of Justice and Attorney General Shirley Bond -
"Government is continuing to invest funding in the justice system when necessary and where appropriate. In fact, Budget 2012 committed $42 million over the next three years specifically for court services."
"As we work together to deal with capacity issues in our justice system, it is investments and partnerships like these that will make a difference. Well-trained court administration staff are critical to an efficient and effective court process."
Supreme Court of British Columbia Chief Justice Robert J. Bauman -
"On behalf of the Supreme Court of British Columbia, I want to congratulate the government, Minister of Justice Bond and the JIBC on this significant initiative."
"Court services staff are absolutely critical to the administration of justice in B.C. Their ability to pursue professional training opportunities as offered in this program will pay dividends in the future to the users of the justice system and, importantly, to the staff involved."
Provincial Court of British Columbia Chief Judge Thomas Crabtree -
"On behalf of the Provincial Court of British Columbia, I wish to extend congratulations to the Ministry of Justice and the Justice Institute of B.C. for undertaking this initiative for all those employed in court administration."
"The training provided to the administrative staff at the new CCA will enable them to learn new skills and practices, which are important for the effective operation of our courts."
JIBC president Jack McGee -
"JIBC appreciates the significant opportunity to expand our role with the Ministry of Justice to provide court administration staff with the highest level of education and training possible. We look forward to commencing classes in this important program and contributing to the quality of services delivered in courtrooms across the province."
Quick Facts:
- The centre will offer two programs. The foundational studies program will assist new employees with a comprehensive overview of the justice system and the important role and structure of the Ministry of Justice within the system.
- The continuing studies program will provide training in the skills required for specific court administration roles and is intended for both new staff and existing staff moving into new positions.
- The Ministry of Justice court services branch has more than 700 court administration staff located in more than 45 locations provincewide.
Learn More:
Centre for Court Administration:
Ministry of Justice, Court Services Branch: www.ag.gov.bc.ca/courts
Contact:
Dave Townsend
Government Communications and Public Engagement
Ministry of Justice
250 387-4962
250 889-5945 (cell)
