Justice Reform Initiatives ~ Early Solutions, Faster Justice
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When British Columbians think about their justice system, they usually picture a courtroom where a lawyer presents a case before a judge, who makes a decision about how to resolve a dispute or assesses the guilt or innocence of someone charged with a crime.
But the justice system is much more than court. It includes public institutions, such as the courts, Corrections, police, administrative tribunals and the Legal Services Society. It includes individual professionals, such as the judiciary, lawyers, mediators, family justice counsellors, probation officers, social workers, police officers and others. And, it includes community-based groups that often work with government to provide justice services.
Justice reform involves making changes to the justice system to modernize it and make it more accessible, responsive and affordable. Reforms address widespread concerns about how the justice system works.
The Ministry of Attorney General, along with other justice, health and social service ministries, has embarked on a three-year plan to ensure the justice system meets the needs of individuals, families, businesses and communities - in a more cost effective, timely and meaningful way. The three-year plan is built around the concept of early solutions and faster justice.
Latest Updates
May 6, 2008
On April 15, 2008, Bill 28, the Wills, Estates and Succession Act, was introduced to the B.C. Legislative Assembly. The legislation follows closely recommendations made by the British Columbia Law Institute (BCLI) and reduces the number of separate acts that involve estate law from seven to one. The goal is to modernize the law and make it easier to read, understand and use.
March 4, 2008
The prolific offender pilot project brings together resources from enforcement agencies (police, corrections and Crown) and health and social services. The project aims to use more intensive supervision of and timely intervention with a small group of prolific offenders to reduce crime, whether that is through treatment or incarceration.
December 21, 2007
B.C. Supreme Court Rule 68, the Expedited Litigation Project Rule, has been amended by Order in Council [PDF] to apply province-wide. The amendment takes effect on January 1, 2008 and also addresses issues concerning witness summaries and the ability to obtain documents in the possession of third parties.
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