Chief Justice Announces Rescheduling of Criminal Trials Due to FIFA World Cup Impact

Chief Justice Ron Skolrood of the British Columbia Supreme Court has issued a notice stating that all criminal trials scheduled in the cities of Vancouver, Abbotsford, Chilliwack, and New Westminster during the upcoming FIFA World Cup will need to be rescheduled. The tournament, taking place from June 12 to July 8, 2026, is expected to affect court operations severely at these locations.

According to the notice, both jury trials and judge-only trials will not proceed during the tournament period. Additionally, civil jury trials are also set to be postponed, with the potential for a reduction in non-jury civil trials leading up to the event. Chief Justice Skolrood highlights that the large influx of visitors will strain police resources, complicate logistics for transporting suspects due to heavy traffic, and may result in inadequate accommodation for jurors and witnesses from outside the area.

While the court aims to manage urgent matters, Skolrood acknowledges that service reductions during the World Cup are unavoidable. He emphasizes the substantial effects on police and sheriff resources necessary for court operations, especially concerning criminal and jury trials. In response to these developments, B.C. Conservatives Attorney General Critic Steve Kooner has criticized the government's planning efforts and has called for a thorough review of the potential impacts on criminal cases, arguing that the public has the right to know about the implications for individuals involved in the justice system.