B.C.'s justice system turns the page to a promising new chapter next year, as government continues moving forward on its commitment to modernize the justice system.

2012 began with the release of a green paper that identifies challenges facing the justice system, such as increasing costs and delays, despite a declining crime rate and stagnant caseload. An independent review of the justice system by Geoffrey Cowper followed, including reviews of legal aid services and B.C.'s charge assessment process.

After the release of Cowper's report last August, A Criminal Justice System for the 21st Century, government released the first of a two-part white paper on justice reform.

Some of government's key actions in 2012 respond to specific recommendations in these reports, while others include measures that were already underway. Throughout the year, the ministry:

• Appointed nine judges in response to Cowper's recommendations, in addition to the nine judges appointed in February.
• Signed a protocol agreement with the Office of the Chief Judge to work together on two court backlog reduction projects.
• Introduced the new Family Law Act - effective March 18, 2013 - landmark legislation that puts children's interests first and encourages families to solve disputes outside the courtroom.
• Launched a new Justice Access Centre for a one-stop citizen-focused centre for legal information and service, anticipated to open mid-2013.
• Expanded the availability of child protection mediators to rural and remote communities to resolve child protection cases.
• Passed legislation that will lead to the formation of an innovative online civil resolution tribunal.
• Increased the number of sheriffs serving British Columbians from 465 to more than 500 - resulting in a 15 per cent increase over the past two years.
• Addressed delays and backlogs in traffic court passing legislation to create a driving notice review board.
• Launched three justice data dashboards - applications that take raw data and transform it into a visual format, providing a user-friendly way to access information on B.C.'s justice system.
• Created the Independent Investigations Office (IIO), a civilian-led agency, to investigate incidents of death or serious harm involving police - signalling a new era of increased transparency and accountability for policing in the province.

Building on these actions and others, the B.C. government begins the new year maintaining its commitment to reform the justice system. Part two of the white paper on justice reform, which will be informed by recommendations from the Missing Women Commission of Inquiry and B.C. Policing Plan consultations, will be released in early 2013.

Government is continuing to follow through on other actions to modernize the justice system, including the development of a governance structure that sets the foundation for a timely, transparent system, creating a justice and public safety council to lead system-wide transformation, and innovative court scheduling and case management projects.

Quotes:

Minister of Justice and Attorney General Shirley Bond -

"Our government is looking ahead to 2013 having made significant progress to reform B.C.'s justice system."

"From new judges and sheriffs to family-focused services, and from groundbreaking progress on new legislation to our comprehensive action plan for justice reform, we are prepared for 2013 and the years to come."

"Our focus will continue to address reform that will help ensure B.C. families can be confident that, when they need to turn to the justice system, it is truly timely, transparent and balanced."

Learn More:

Justice reform: http://www.ag.gov.bc.ca/justice-reform-initiatives/index.htm

Justice data dashboards: http://www.justicebc.ca/en/rm/data/understanding.html

Justice Access Centres: http://www.ag.gov.bc.ca/justice-access-centre/index.htm

B.C.'s new Family Law Act: http://www.ag.gov.bc.ca/legislation/family-law/index.htm

B.C. Sheriff Service: http://www.ag.gov.bc.ca/courts/sheriffs/index.htm

Contact:

Lauren Mulholland
Communications
Ministry of Justice
250 387-4961