THE ADVOCATE 101
VOL. 80 PART 1 JANUARY 2022
COURT NOTICES
AND DIRECTIONS
By the Honourable Suzanne Anton, Q.C.*
British Columbia Court of Appeal
Practice Directive (Civil and Criminal)
Title: Appearing before the Court
Issued: 18 November 2021
Effective: Immediately
Cite as: Appearing before the Court
(Civil & Criminal Practice Directive, 18 November 2021)
This practice directive deals with introducing and addressing either a division
of the Court of Appeal, a Justice in chambers, or a Registrar. It is primarily
for the benefit of more recently called members of the legal
profession who are, or will be, making their first appearances before the
Court, but may also be of use to those who are self-represented.
The practice before the Court is as follows:
• Counsel are required to gown for all hearings before a division of
justices. Counsel are not required to gown for hearings before a single
justice. Counsel who are pregnant or have a disability or other
reason affecting the ability to fully gown may appear in alternate
gowning attire as appropriate to their circumstances;
• The appellant(s) or their counsel sit on the left side of the courtroom
(facing the bench) and the respondent(s) or their counsel sit
on the right;
.• Before the judges enter the courtroom, the appellant(s) or their
counsel and the respondent(s) or their counsel advise the court