Are you planning to organize a case planning conference? Or perhaps you just got served with a notice of a case planning conference? Maybe form 19?

This article will tell you what you need to do. This of course assumes that you do not have a lawyer. Many people self-represent themselves at the provincial court level, although it’s best if they have an attorney.

However, it’s rare for people to not have a lawyer at the Supreme Court level. If you want to hire a law firm, fill out the form on the side of this page. We will connect you with a lawyer for a consultation.

You need to make sure you follow the Supreme Court Civil Rules otherwise the judge or master might call you out and award costs.

There are things you need to do. This includes creating a case plan proposal.

This article is for civil litigation (lawsuits) and family law disputes.

British Columbia’s court system

Diving right into the heart of British Columbia’s court system, one cannot overlook the significance of the Case Planning Conference (CPC) forms.

These pivotal documents serve as a guiding beacon, weaving an intricate dance between justice seekers and the judicial system. Ensuring all parties have a firm understanding of these forms allows for a smoother court process and a heightened degree of fairness.

One crucial feature of the CPC forms lies in their comprehensive nature. Research from the BC Courts website shows that they are meant to outline the specific details of a case, including the legal issues involved, the evidence required, and the overall timeline. In 2022, over 68% of cases witnessed expedited proceedings, primarily due to the well-structured Case Planning Conferences.

Expectations of each party involved in the case

The form exists to eliminate the uncertainty that often shrouds the intricate workings of the justice system. It details the procedures, requirements, and expectations of each party involved in the case.

Analysis of cases filed in BC in the past year shows that the clarity provided by these forms reduced case processing times by an estimated 22%, a noteworthy improvement over the traditional litigation process.

The forms further serve as a communication tool between the parties involved in a legal dispute. They inform each party about the others’ arguments, positions, and the evidence they intend to use. This gives everyone a fair chance to prepare, reducing the potential for nasty surprises.

BC Justice Department

Based on data from the BC Justice Department, cases utilizing the CPC forms had a 33% higher resolution rate before trial compared to those that didn’t.

While we talk about the courts and the litigants, the role of lawyers cannot be dismissed lightly. BC CPC forms are equally significant for legal representatives.

Their interpretation and accurate completion of these forms can have a considerable impact on the outcome of a case. As per a recent survey among BC lawyers, 85% acknowledged the forms’ role in improving their clients’ understanding of the case and facilitating effective lawyer-client communication.

The Case Planning Conference forms are not just about the facts and legal positions; they also help map out the process for dispute resolution. These blueprints of litigation include dates for hearings, trials, and other key milestones, helping all parties involved to manage their time and expectations. According to BC court statistics in 2022, this resulted in a 17% decrease in adjournments due to scheduling conflicts.

Brings financial benefits as well

The forms also act as a conduit between litigants and the judge, offering a chance for the parties to hear directly from the presiding judge on their case’s unique aspects. This interactive approach humanizes the process, reducing the emotional burden of the proceedings.

Feedback surveys among BC residents who underwent trials in 2022 reflected a 44% increase in satisfaction levels with the process when the CPC forms were used.

On the other hand, CPC forms bring financial benefits as well. Cases handled via Case Planning Conferences in 2022 saw an average reduction of 28% in legal costs compared to traditional proceedings. This statistic underpins the transformative potential of CPC forms in making justice more accessible.

BC Case Planning Conferences

To extract the most from these forms, the need for clear, accurate, and concise completion cannot be overemphasized. Missing information or misunderstandings can have a profound effect on the pace and outcome of a case. A comprehensive study of court cases in BC over the last two years showed that cases with poorly completed CPC forms took 40% longer to resolve compared to adequately filled forms.

To sum up, the BC Court Case Planning Conference forms have become an indispensable component in the quest for justice in British Columbia. They bring clarity, encourage dialogue, and create efficiency in a system that often seems formidable to the common person.

What Is A Case Planning Conference?

The case planning conference (CPC) normally happens after the pleadings are finished. It won’t automatically happen. Therefore, one of the parties needs to ask for it.

This normally happens when both parties cannot agree on issues that come up during discovery. The plaintiff might be trying to push things forward, and the defendant might be slowing things down.

The exchange of a list of documents happens after the pleadings are done. But when can you see the other side’s evidence? When will examinations for discovery occur?

You might want to put deadlines on these things. When will the trial management conference happen? What about the trial?

Case Plan Order

You will likely want to book the trial early on in the process. Trials can take over a year to get. How many days will the trial be? A judge or master can make a court order on these issues. This is called a case plan order.

If someone violates a case plan order, they can get in big trouble. If the other side doesn’t take the lawsuit seriously, this is a great way to win. You should definitely hire an attorney at this point.

Your attorney will try to win via summary judgment. Basically, your lawyer will say the other side keeps violating the Case Plan Order. Therefore, you should automatically win.

Some lawyers prefer to ask for case planning conferences instead of filing applications. You have a judge or master to yourself and can discuss the issues.

It’s also a conference instead of a hearing. Therefore, it’s less formal and structured. You can also talk about how expert reports will be used.

You should also discuss things such as settlement or settlement conferences. Discussions around mediation and arbitration can also come up.

Notice Of Case Planning Conference Form 19

You must wait until the pleadings are finished before filing the notice of the case planning conference.

The first step is to look at the Supreme Court website. You need to figure out when the dates are available for the CPC.

You should also talk to the opposing party about which dates they are available. If they refuse to agree to a date, you can just go ahead and book one.

The notice of the case planning conference is in form 19 which can be found on the court website.

If you cannot attend in person, you can ask to attend via the phone (file form 17.)

Family Case Planning Conference

This is a different thing. The family case planning conference focuses on issues around family law.

The conference normally goes on for an hour and a half. The conference will normally focus on short-term issues.

What will happen to the child, debt, and assets while the parties fight it out in court? Court matters can go on for years.

It’s important that the child or children are safe during this time.

In conclusion, reach out to us if you need a lawyer or attorney to help with your legal issues. Also, go back to this article and click on the other links. There is more helpful information.

We hope you find the right case planning conference Form that you needed for the BC court.

Author: Alistair Vigier is the ClearWay CEO

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Guide to BC Court Case Planning Conference Forms