All criminal trials in 4 B.C. courts during FIFA World Cup to be rescheduled

The chief justice of the British Columbia Supreme Court says all criminal trials that were to take place in Vancouver, Abbotsford, Chilliwack and New Westminster during the FIFA World Cup next year will have to be rescheduled.

Chief Justice Ron Skolrood says in a notice posted Monday that the tournament is expected to have "very significant impacts" on court operations at the affected Supreme Court locations. 

The notice says neither jury nor judge-only criminal trials will take place at the four locations from June 12 to July 8, 2026, and that no civil jury trials will take place either.

It says the number of non-jury civil trials may also have to be reduced in the lead-up to the tournament. The notice cites the draw on police resources around the Lower Mainland, heavy traffic that will make it difficult for sheriffs to transport suspects, and a potential lack of hotel rooms for jurors and out-of-town witnesses. 

'This is going to be disruptive'

Premier David Eby said on Monday that officials organizing the event will work with the court to make sure any concerns are addressed.

"The FIFA opportunity that's coming to British Columbia is the largest sporting event ever in the history of our province. We will have millions and millions of people watching games taking place here in British Columbia," said Eby.

"This will be a huge and positive impact to our economy that's ongoing, but there will be disruption. And you know, just like the winter Olympics when British Columbians became accustomed to a certain amount of disruption in order to be able to host that event, this will be — although of a different scale — will have some challenges."

Greg Phillips, president of the Trial Lawyers Association of B.C., said the closure will further delay cases in a court system that is strained.

"It's a real struggle. As we've heard from this court before, the courts are under-resourced. We've often heard of delays," said Phillips.

"The reality of the situation is this is going to be disruptive, and it's probably better to have a year's notice of these disruptions than find out about it on the courthouse steps."

Skolrood says the court is committed to having enough capacity for "urgent matters," but the service reductions during the tournament are "unavoidable." 

"The full extent of the impacts is uncertain and will remain so for some time," the notice says.

"We do know that the effects on the police and sheriff resources required to participate in or support the court's operations will be substantial, particularly in respect of criminal trials and jury trials."