Simmi Sandhu

Effective December 21, 2023, Simmi K. Sandhu will conclude her tenure as the head of the Civil Resolution Tribunal (CRT).

Sandhu's leadership began in June 2022, following a rigorous selection process. Prior to this, she led the Property Assessment Appeal Board for seven years. With a career in administrative law and attorney general tribunal services extending over twenty years, she has been a significant figure in this field.

During her time at the CRT, Sandhu was instrumental in advancing the principles of accessibility, fairness, and efficiency in the judicial system. She focused on aiding underrepresented groups and ensured the provision of justice services that were sensitive to the cultural needs of Indigenous communities. This included the recruitment of specialized navigators for Indigenous parties.

A key achievement of Sandhu's was the establishment of a community advisory council, consisting of Indigenous legal professionals and scholars. This council was tasked with evaluating the CRT's procedures, pinpointing obstacles, and proposing solutions. Furthermore, Sandhu led an initiative to translate 12 CRT informational videos into languages including Cantonese, Mandarin, Punjabi, and Tagalog. Under her guidance, the CRT also developed procedures that were accessible, centered on the victims, and informed by an understanding of trauma, particularly under the new Intimate Images Protection Act.

Sandhu's professional journey continues as she remains the president and judge of the United Nations Appeal Tribunal, a position she has held since her appointment by the United Nations General Assembly in 2018.

The Office of the Attorney General and the Government of British Columbia express their gratitude to Simmi Sandhu for her dedicated service to the Province and for her impactful role as the chair of the CRT.

In the interim, until a new chair is appointed through a thorough merit-based process, Shelley Lopez, the current vice-chair, will serve as the acting chair of the CRT.