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VANCOUVER – A new electronic court registry will provide easy
access to B.C.’s civil court registry through the Internet, Attorney General
Geoff Plant announced today.
“We are modernizing
the court system to reflect the changing needs of how day to day business is
conducted in our high-tech environment,” said Plant. “This new tool allows
people, anywhere in the province or world, to access provincial civil court
records quickly and conveniently. It's important that government keeps pace
with new technology and this innovative tool reflects how court services are
changing to meet those needs.”
Court Services Online E-search will allow searches
of civil court proceedings filed in any registry of the B.C. Supreme Court and
the B.C. provincial court electronically. For a fee of $6 per transaction,
users can access, search and file court documents from any registry in the
province. Court Services Online is a voluntary service and court registry
clients will continue to have the option of conducting business at the
registry.
“The Law Society welcomes this innovative, new service,” said Law
Society of B.C. president Ralston Alexander, QC. “With Court Services Online,
B.C. lawyers will be able to serve their clients better regardless of where
they are located. This project is an excellent example of how modern technology
can be used to improve the public’s access to our court system.”
The Court Services Online e-search service was
developed by the Court Services Branch of the Ministry of Attorney General in
co-operation with the British Columbia Judiciary. Since 2003, client advisory
and working groups, consisting of members from the legal community and registry
agents, have guided the development of the project.
The launch of Court Services Online is the first
phase in the development of an electronic court registry to provide court
services via the Internet. Documents from the court of appeal will be available
in early 2005, and electronic filing services will be available in 2006. The
project is part of the ministry’s overall plan to make B.C.’s justice system
fair, equitable and efficient for all British Columbians.
For further
information and to access Court Services Online, please visit: http://www.ag.gov.bc.ca/courts/cso/index.htm
online.
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contact: |
Public Affairs Bureau Ministry of Attorney General 250 387-1253 |
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Visit the Province's website at www.gov.bc.ca for online information and services. |
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