Administrative Justice Project
The Administrative Justice Project (AJP) was the first ever system-wide review of B.C.'s administrative justice system, initiated by the Province in 2001 to address concerns about delays, costs, fairness and the increasing complexities of administrative justice processes. The AJP consulted with tribunals, ministries, tribunal users, the legal profession and the public about reforms to ensure the administrative justice system provides an effective alternative to the courts to resolve disputes.
In 2002, the AJP released a white paper, On Balance: Guiding Principles for Administrative Justice Reform in British Columbia, that made 54 recommendations for a more efficient and effective administrative justice system. Government has enacted most of the AJP's recommendations, including:
- enacting the 2004 Administrative Tribunals Act to provide for:
- merit-based, fixed term appointments to ensure high quality, independent decisionmaking;
- comprehensive, clear tribunal powers and obligations, to ensure transparency, public accessibility and confidence; and
- establishing the Administrative Justice Office, within the Ministry of Attorney General, to provide ongoing advice and support to government, tribunals and the public about administrative justice reforms.
