Videoconferencing is used, whenever appropriate, to reduce or avoid movement of prisoners, witnesses and judges and to expedite the timely progress of cases.
Through the use of cameras, televisions and other equipment, videoconferencing allows parties, who are not in the same room/community, to engage in simultaneous visual and oral communications.
There are more than 70 sets of videoconference equipment at various courthouses and correctional centres throughout B.C.
Contact the trial co-ordinator or judicial case manager at your participating local court registry. Requesting parties will be required to fill out a videoconference request form (ADM 509); they must also agree to pay the charges associated with using the equipment. These charges are outlined in the form. Judicial approval is required to use this technology in each specific court proceeding.
Videoconferencing is a user-pay system. The general rule is that counsel and parties will pay charges for videoconferencing when they would have paid the costs for an inperson appearance. The requesting party is also responsible for paying any charges associated with booking a private facility outside the B.C. Courts' Network. These charges are in addition to charges for the use of Court Services' equipment.
Unless the videoconference is for a B.C. court matter, the public does not have access to a videoconferencing site in a courthouse or correctional facility.
