Courthouse Libraries BC

Operates courthouse libraries around the province with print and electronic information on all areas of the law, and a toll-free number for legal reference questions. Website: click on “Research Resources” then “Links” for federal and provincial statutes and regulations, court judgments, and court rules and forms for Provincial Court (Small Claims, Family and Criminal) and BC Supreme Court. The website also provides an “Ask a Question” email service under “Frequent Requests” on the home page. Phone: check the Yellow pages of your phone book for contact information for local courthouse libraries or call 1-800-665-2570.

Website courthouselibrary.ca Phone 1-604-660-2841 Toll-free: 1-800-665-2570 Find on Clicklaw Courthouse Libraries on Clicklaw HelpMap

A kind of legislation that provides supplemental rules for a particular act. Regulations are created and amended by the government, not by the legislature, and as a result the legislature has no say in how or what regulations are imposed by government. See "act."

A court established and staffed by the provincial government, which includes Small Claims Court, Youth Court, and Family Court. The Provincial Court is the lowest level of court in British Columbia and is restricted in the sorts of matters it can deal with. It is, however, the most accessible of the two trial courts and no fees are charged to begin or defend a family law proceeding. The Family Court of the Provincial Court cannot deal with the division of family property or any claims under the Divorce Act. See "Divorce Act," "judge" and "jurisdiction."

Normally referred to as the "Supreme Court of British Columbia," this court hears most of the trials in this province. The Supreme Court is a court of inherent jurisdiction and has no limits on the sorts of claims it can hear or on the sorts of orders it can make. Decisions of the Provincial Court are appealed to the Supreme Court; decisions of the Supreme Court are appealed to the Court of Appeal. See "Court of Appeal," "jurisdiction," "Provincial Court" and "Supreme Court of Canada."

Under the Family Law Act, a term that describes the time a person who is not a guardian of a child, including a parent who is not a guardian, has with that child. Under the Divorce Act, a term that describes the time a person who is not a married spouse has with a child. See "guardian" and "parental responsibilities."