B.C. courts open up to texting, social media in courtrooms

Lawyers and accredited journalists will soon be able to send and receive text messages and social media alerts from within courtrooms at the B.C. Supreme Court. Previously, the use of personal electronic devices for transmitting messages from inside courtrooms was subject to the discretion of individual judges.

Following the implementation of the new policy, which is expected to come into effect this September, judges will still have the discretion to decline the use of the devices in certain circumstances.

Additionally, the B.C. Court of Appeal is expected to allow members of the public to use their electronic devices for sending and receiving messages on Twitter and other social networking platforms.

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