December, 1997

We are pleased to announce that the Trial Overflow Programme will commence in January, 1998.

The Centre will act as the secretariat to the Programme in order to coordinate and administer the process.

The Programme will provide a speedy and effective arbitration alternative to civil litigants who cannot proceed with trials on their assigned court date in the Vancouver Law Courts due to lack of court facilities or available judges.

Counsel and clients whose case has been ?bumped? will be offered an arbitration option when attending at the office of the Trial Coordinator to book a new trial date. A representative from the Centre will be on hand at the Law Courts or will be available by phone, and will have a list of senior arbitrators available to commence an arbitration within 24 hours as well as a list of those available at later dates. Copies of curriculum vitaes, details of billing rates and other relevant information will also be available. The Parties and their counsel can select an arbitrator who best suits their needs. The Centre will assign the preferred arbitrator who will contact the parties and finalize details of the hearing, including location.

The Roster of Arbitrators for the Programme consists of individuals who represent a wide range of expertise in areas of law including commercial contracts, construction, securities and personal injury. All have practised as lawyers for a minimum of ten years, are members in good standing of the Law Society of BC and have acted as arbitrators for a minimum of ten paid commercial/civil arbitrations or have equivalent adjudicative experience.

The arbitrations hearings will be conducted in accordance with the Commercial Arbitration Act and the administrative procedures for the Trial Overflow Programme. The Rules of the Supreme Court, or other rules, may be selected at the option of the parties.

Please direct your questions or comments to the Centre.