Page contents
1. Photography and recording
2. Computers
3. Wi-Fi
The Court of Appeal, the Supreme Court, and the Provincial Court of British Columbia have a joint policy called the Use of Electronic Devices in Courtrooms. While most of the information from that policy which applies in the Provincial Court is included in this section, it is important to read the full policy.
1. Photography and recording
Without the judge’s permission, the following are prohibited:
Audio recording (see exception under Accredited Media, section 2(d)), video recording, photographing, or taking screen shots of a court proceeding.
Publishing, broadcasting, reproducing, transmitting, sharing, making available, or otherwise disseminating recordings, photographs, video or screen shots of court proceedings.
Members of the public are not permitted to use cell phones in a court proceeding. Please turn off your cell phone. This is to ensure proceedings are not recorded, photographed, or subject to any actions prohibited by this policy.
Audio recording, video recording, photographing or filming in a courtroom when court is not in session. The only exceptions are:
If authorized in advance by the Chief Judge. The person making the request must submit a written request to the Chief Judge addressing how the request meets an educational need and/or is for court related information purposes.
During ceremonies where family members and friends may take photographs or video/audio record for their personal use, not for posting on social media, publication or broadcast.
Audio recording, video recording, photographing or filming judges’ chambers and sheriff cells. The only exception is if authorized in advance by the Chief Judge and for sheriff cells the BC Sheriff Service.
Audio recording, video recording, photographing or filming in court facilities is prohibited. The only exception is if authorized in advance by the Chief Judge.
A person using an electronic device in a manner prohibited by this policy may be subject to one or more of the following sanctions:
a direction to turn off the electronic device;
a direction to leave the courtroom;
a direction to forfeit their media accreditation card to the sheriff;
citation, and prosecution for contempt of court;
prosecution for any violation of a publication ban, sealing order, or other restriction on publication;
a direction to remove photographs, video images, or audio recordings from social media; or
any other direction or order of the court.
They may also be subject to actions taken by the sheriffs under the Sheriff Act.
2. Computers
Unless the judge prohibits it, the following use of computers is permitted, as long as the use does not disturb the proceedings, interfere with the operation of the Court’s own electronic equipment, or otherwise conflict with the Use of Electronic Devices in Courtrooms Policy (Appendix C):
Anyone is permitted to use computers (other than cell phones) for the purpose of note-taking;
Counsel, and prosecutors in traffic and ticket matters, are also permitted to use computers for the purpose of accessing records and files directly related to the current proceedings; and
Only lawyers and accredited media are permitted to use electronic devices, like cell phones, to transmit and receive text. This must be done in a discreet manner that does not interfere with the proceedings, as set out in the Use of Electronic Devices in Courtrooms Policy (Appendix C).
3. Wi-Fi
Many courthouses have free Wi-Fi.