Script 433 gives general information only, not legal advice. If you have a legal problem or need legal advice, you should speak to a lawyer. For the name of a lawyer to consult, call Lawyer Referral at 604.687.3221 in the lower mainland or 1.800.663.1919 elsewhere in British Columbia.

If you have to appear in court on a criminal, family, or small claims matter and you don’t live near the court, you may be able to appear by phone – as long as you don’t have to testify (give evidence) in court.

To make a phone appearance, you must get prior approval from a judge or justice of the peace. Ask the registry of the court where you have to appear if you can do it by phone. Do this at least one week before your court date, if possible. If not, then ask the court registry at least 3 days before your court date. If a phone appearance is possible, the court registry will explain what you need to do.

You should contact a lawyer to help you with any court matters.

[updated April 2007]

Dial-A-Law© is a library of legal information that is available:

• by phone, as recorded scripts, and
• in writing, on the CBA BC Branch website.

To access Dial-A-Law, call 604.687.4680 in the lower mainland or 1.800.565.5297 elsewhere in BC. Dial-A-Law is available online at www.cba.org/bc in Public & Media.

The Dial-A-Law library is prepared by lawyers and gives practical information on many areas of law in British Columbia. Dial-A-Law is funded by the Law Foundation of British Columbia and sponsored by the Canadian Bar Association, British Columbia.

© Copyright 1983-2007 Canadian Bar Association, British Columbia