July 7,2025
RED FM News Desk
The Chief Justice of the British Columbia Supreme Court has announced that all criminal trials scheduled to take place in Vancouver, Abbotsford, Chilliwack, and New Westminster during the 2026 FIFA World Cup will need to be rescheduled.
In a notice posted Monday, Chief Justice Ron Skolrood said the tournament is expected to significantly disrupt court operations at these four locations.
According to the notice, no criminal trials—whether by jury or judge alone—will be held at these courthouses from June 12 to July 8, 2026. Civil jury trials will also be suspended during that time.
The number of non-jury civil trials may also be reduced in the weeks leading up to the tournament. The notice cites several challenges, including the strain on police resources across the Lower Mainland, traffic congestion affecting the transport of in-custody accused by sheriffs, and limited hotel availability for jurors and out-of-town witnesses.
Skolrood emphasized that while the court will prioritize urgent matters, service reductions during the World Cup are unavoidable.
“The full extent of the impact remains uncertain,” the notice says, “but we do know police and sheriff resources needed to support court operations will be under significant pressure—especially for criminal and jury trials.”
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