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ARTICLE · 06 MARCH 2020

Time To Modernize: Legislative Changes To Modernize And Streamline Domestic Arbitrations In British Columbia

McCarthy Tétrault
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On February 19, 2020, the British Columbia ("BC") Government introduced Bill 7 – 2020: Arbitration Act (the "Bill 7") to modernize and streamline the arbitration regime in BC.

CanadaLitigation, Mediation & Arbitration
The International Arbitration Blog
The International Arbitration Blog
Miranda Lam
Miranda Lam
Daniel Siracusa
Daniel Siracusa
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On February 19, 2020, the British Columbia ("BC") Government introduced Bill 7 – 2020: Arbitration Act (the "Bill 7") to modernize and streamline the arbitration regime in BC.

The current BC regime involves two statutes:

  • The Arbitration Act, R.S.B.C. 1996, c. 55 (the "Current Act") governs domestic arbitral proceedings. If Bill 7 comes into force, it will replace the Current Act.
  • The International Commercial Arbitration Act, R.S.B.C. 1996, c. 233 (the "ICAA") governs arbitral proceedings where the parties are based in different jurisdictions.

In 2018, the ICAA was amended to make BC a more desirable venue for international arbitrations by aligning its rules with international best practices. Bill 7 aims to enhance BC's profile for domestic arbitrations, and to better harmonize international and domestic arbitration practices.

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