The B.C. Supreme Court will begin sitting for civil and family matters at the Port Coquitlam Courthouse beginning Monday, April 19, 2021, making access to justice services easier for residents of the Tri-Cities area.

Located in one of the fastest-growing regions in B.C., the Tri-Cities area is experiencing an increased demand for court resources and services. To address this, the B.C. Supreme Court will begin sitting in three courtrooms, not being used by the Provincial Court, for civil and family matters. For the time being, criminal jury trials and the Supreme Court registry will remain at the New Westminster Law Courts.

Prior to this expansion, Tri-Cities residents attended the New Westminster Law Courts for Supreme Court services. This was making timely access to justice difficult in some cases, and the issue was exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic. In response, the Ministry of Attorney General, the judiciary and other key stakeholders identified the need for additional capacity in Port Coquitlam.

Residents of the Tri-Cities area will no longer need to travel to New Westminster, Abbotsford or Vancouver for hearings involving divorce, disputes over $35,000 or other civil disputes.

Quick Facts:

• The Supreme Court is the highest trial court in British Columbia. It hears civil cases over $35,000 and family law cases involving divorce and custody, as well as serious criminal cases and Provincial Court appeals.
• About 100 justices and masters hear cases provincewide.
• The Port Coquitlam Courthouse is located at 2620 Mary Hill Rd. in Port Coquitlam.

Learn More:

Read more about the B.C. Supreme Court: www.courts.gov.bc.ca/supreme_court/

For information about the Ministry of Attorney General's response to COVID-19:
https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/justice/covid-19