Disbursements Tariff
Cntents General Tariff Infrmatin...1 Disbursement Items (in alphabetical rder)... 4 Accmmdatin, see Travel Agency fees, see Filing/Hearing fees Airfare, see Travel Alternative service prvider, see General Terms and Cnditins (items 42 44) Appraisal f prperty r chattels... 4 Binding charges... 4 Birth and marriage certificates... 5 Bld/alchl experts... 5 Car rental, see Travel Case law cpying, see Phtcpying/Receiving faxes Child access supervisin reprts... 5 Cmputer-assisted legal research... 5 Cnduct mney... 5 Curier services... 6 Custdy and access reprts... 6 Digital audi recrding CD... 6 Disbursements blck payment... 6 Fax charges, see Phtcpying/Receiving faxes r see Lng distance charges Filing/Hearing fees... 7 Gladue reprts (pilt item)... 7 Hearing fees, see Filing/Hearing fees Hspital recrds... 7 Interpreting and translatin... 7 Lng distance charges... 9 Marriage certificates, see Birth and marriage certificates Meals, see Travel Mediatin/Arbitratin... 9 Medical recrds, reprts, and testimny... 9 Miscellaneus... 11 Out-f-prvince lawyers, see General Terms and Cnditins (item 43) Parking, see Travel Paternity testing... 11 Phtcpying/Receiving faxes... 11 Phtgraphs... 11 Pstage... 11 Printing electrnic disclsure r transcripts... 11 Private detectives and investigatrs... 12 Psychlgists and psychiatrists... 12 Registry agency fees, see Filing/Hearing fees Search agency fees, see Filing/Hearing fees r see Title searches fr prperty and assets April 1, 2019 i
Service f curt dcuments... 13 Skip tracing... 13 Special delivery/registered mail, see Pstage Telephne, see Lng distance charges Title searches fr prperty and assets... 13 Transcripts (all types), see Transcripts Travel... 13 Videcnferencing... 16 Transcripts... 17 Transcript Items... 20 Appendix: Transcript Service Prviders... 26 ii April 1, 2019
Disbursements Tariff General Tariff Infrmatin This chapter f LSS Tariffs describes hw LSS will cmpensate yu fr disbursements yu pay while prviding services t clients. Fr general infrmatin abut yur cntract with LSS, see General Terms and Cnditins. Tariff items Wherever pssible, LSS des nt require yu t btain prir authrizatin fr necessary and reasnable disbursements. Hwever, many disbursements are nt autmatically authrized r are authrized nly t a specified limit. T be reimbursed fr these, yu must btain authrizatin befre incurring the expense r exceeding the limit r yu may nt be paid. See als Disbursement Items (n page 4). LSS will generally nt authrize payments fr items that are cnsidered general ffice verhead, unless expressly permitted in the Disbursements Tariff. Authrizatin requests T request authrizatin fr disbursements, submit a tariff item authrizatin request via LSS Online. LSS authrizes disbursements it cnsiders necessary and reasnable. A disbursement is cnsidered necessary if it is likely t significantly advance the client s case r if, withut it, the client s case will be significantly disadvantaged. Reasnableness depends n the amunt f the disbursement and the circumstances f the particular case. Additinal cnsideratins include: Will the expenditure result in a tangible benefit t the client? Des the disbursement relate t the primary legal issues identified n the representatin cntract r will it assist in the reslutin f a primary legal issue? Wuld a client f mdest means incur the disbursement? Is this an ecnmical ptin fr this disbursement? Is the disbursement cnsistent with thers allwed by LSS? Is the ther side cntributing t the cst? April 1, 2019 1
Yu may request a review f a decisin by writing t the Case Management Sectin r, fr appeal cases, t the Appeals Sectin. Be sure t utline yur reasns fr requesting a review. Retractive disbursement authrizatin requests If a lawyer submits an authrizatin request t LSS after incurring the expense r exceeding the specified limit, LSS may refuse t pay the cst f the disbursement. See the Retractive Authrizatin Requests Disbursements plicy n the LSS website. Experts Prir authrizatin is required t set the limits f the retainer fr mst experts. Fr experts, prvide the reasns fr retaining the expert, a time estimate, and a descriptin f their qualificatins (LSS may request a cpy f the expert s curriculum vitae). LSS will specify rates upn authrizatin fr preparatin and attendance time, as well as travel time. Yu must ensure that experts understand, befre they prvide services, any limits n hurs, rates, r expenses that LSS impses in the authrizatin r under the tariff. If yu have received authrizatin fr an expert reprt r assessment, that authrizatin includes retaining the expert fr curt testimny at the rates authrized fr actual curt attendance. Prir authrizatin is required fr travel fees and expenses. LSS will nt fund an expert t attend curt t hear evidence frm any witness withut specific prir authrizatin. Incurring disbursements Yu are respnsible fr ensuring that the invices yu submit fr reimbursement are accurate billings fr satisfactry services and meterage (where applicable). Yu are als respnsible fr paying all disbursements except bills frm third-party service prviders wh cntract directly with LSS. LSS is nt respnsible fr any cntract fr disbursements made between a lawyer and a third party. The lawyer cntracts fr disbursements and cannt bind LSS t any cntract withut specific authrizatin t d s. LSS is nt bund by any curt rder directing a party t pay fr a disbursement. If yu have a cmplaint abut the service yu received frm a service prvider, please cntact the Manager, Lawyer Services. LSS is cncerned abut the quality f services its clients receive and may be able t help yu reduce the accunt r pursue a cmplaint with the apprpriate agencies. Third-party invices In mst cases, yu are nt required t prvide third-party invices when billing via LSS Online; hwever, yu may be prmpted t prvide sme infrmatin frm these invices 2 April 1, 2019
when billing. Yu must keep these invices fr at least five years frm the date f payment f yur final LSS Online invice in case LSS makes a billing inquiry r cnducts an audit. Fr services yu retain n an hurly basis, including experts services, please ensure that all invices yu receive clearly indicate the client s name, service dates, hearing dates, a breakdwn f the number f hurs wrked (e.g., preparatin, attendance), the kilmetres travelled and the destinatin r travel time (as applicable), billing rates, and a brief descriptin f services prvided. If yu have any questins abut disbursements, cntact: Case Management Sectin Email: helpdesk.case-mgt@lss.bc.ca Phne: 604-601-6145 April 1, 2019 3
Disbursement Items (in alphabetical rder) Use the infrmatin in this sectin t request prir authrizatin r when billing via LSS Online. This sectin describes the disbursement tariff items, and indicates whether r nt prir authrizatin is required. Nte: Yu will need t request authrizatin via LSS Online t bill the fllwing: any amunt exceeding the limit yu can bill withut prir authrizatin; mre than the maximum stated in the LSS Tariffs; mre than the LSS Online billing maximum (tariff items that d nt have a maximum amunt payable r maximum billable hurs published in the LSS Tariffs have an LSS Online billing maximum based n reasnableness threshlds determined frm time t time by LSS); and a tariff item that des nt appear n yur cntract in LSS Online (LSS will apply the authrizatin guidelines as stated in the LSS Tariffs fr that particular tariff item). Any disbursement item nt listed belw requires prir authrizatin. Appraisal f prperty r chattels N prir authrizatin required fr ne appraisal f real prperty up t $300 per representatin cntract (including reasnable meterage charges). Prir authrizatin required fr any appraisal f ther prperty r chattels. If requesting authrizatin, shw that the estimated value f the assets r the cmplexity f the real prperty appraisal appears t justify the requested expenditure. If prperty is divided, any prperty and/r cash received by the client in lieu f prperty represents a change f financial circumstances, and yu must send the client t the issuing ffice fr a reassessment f their financial eligibility. Binding charges Billable if binding dcuments is expected r required by the curt r administrative tribunal. N prir authrizatin required t bill up t the fllwing rates fr bth in-huse and third-party binding: $0.35 $1.50 $2.50 per tab per cver per cil 4 April 1, 2019
Birth and marriage certificates N prir authrizatin required fr expenses up t $35, including agency fees. Indicate the number f family members ( units ) fr whm yu are claiming a birth certificate. Bld/alchl experts See als Travel Witnesses. N prir authrizatin required fr up t tw hurs preparatin and the actual curt attendance at $75 per hur. Child access supervisin reprts Prir authrizatin required. LSS will specify rates upn authrizatin. Cmputer-assisted legal research N prir authrizatin required fr search and nline charges up t $300. If requesting prir authrizatin t exceed this limit, prvide cst estimates. The $300 authrizatin limit includes up t $50 per client fr DIVORCEmate if: spusal supprt is ne f the primary legal issues identified n the family representatin cntract, the ppsing party s incme is greater than $25,000, and the relatinship lasted lnger than tw years. Bill this item nly if yu use DIVORCEmate n a pay-per-use basis, nt if yu hld an annual licence. Yu cannt bill yur wn r thers research time under this item, nly the actual cst f nline time. Cnduct mney See als Travel Witnesses. LSS will pay nly thse witness fees required by the BC Supreme Curt (BCSC) rules and will nt reimburse witnesses fr lst wages. N prir authrizatin required t pay BCSC witness fees t an in-prvince witness. Prir authrizatin required t pay BCSC witness fees t an ut-f-prvince witness. April 1, 2019 5
Curier services N prir authrizatin required. D nt bill this tariff item in additin t the Disbursements blck payment. Custdy and access reprts Prir authrizatin required t set the limits f the retainer. Where apprpriate, preference will be given t clinical cunsellrs (up t $75 per hur). Bth parties shuld agree t a single assessment by ne qualified expert whse reprt will becme evidence. Additinal assessments will be authrized nly in exceptinal circumstances. Bth parties share the cst f an assessment. Prir authrizatin required if, in unusual situatins, LSS is ging t pay fr the ther party s share f an assessment. Digital audi recrding CD Billable nce per representatin cntract up t $27 fr ne cpy f the curt s digital audi recrding system (DARS). Bill this item nly if a cpy f the DARS is necessary fr efficient preparatin f yur file. If yu require multiple dates f a prceeding, include them in ne DARS rder. Disbursements blck payment Billable nce per representatin cntract in lieu f billing the actual cst f standard lw-cst disbursement items (curier services, lng distance charges, phtcpying/receiving faxes in-huse and third party, and pstage). N prir authrizatin required t bill at the fllwing rates: $10 $18 $28 $38 Criminal CFCSA Family Immigratin cntracts cntracts cntracts cntracts Billable nly if fees fr legal services are als billed. Des nt apply t appeals and judicial reviews, r duty cunsel cntracts. Yu d nt need t keep receipts, r track r recrd actual expenses, t bill this item. 6 April 1, 2019
Filing/Hearing fees N prir authrizatin required. Claim the actual fees, including agency fees, required by the curt r tribunal fr filing dcuments. Gladue reprts (pilt item) Prir authrizatin required t set the limits f the retainer. Reprt writers must be n the LSS rster f writers and require a minimum f 8 weeks, frm the time the writer receives all necessary infrmatin and dcuments frm the lawyer, t cmplete the reprt. Prvide detailed reasns why the client wuld benefit frm a Gladue reprt. Authrizatin cnsideratins include: the client resides and/r therwise remains in the curt s jurisdictin; the Gladue reprt will have a significant psitive impact n bail r sentencing (prvide Crwn initial sentencing psitin if available); the seriusness f the ffence; and LSS has available resurces (budget, writers, etc.) The writer s invice must include the infrmatin listed under Third-party invices as well as the date the reprt was submitted t yu. Meterage Gladue reprt writers Where authrized, the writer s meterage is billable up t 250 kilmetres at the current LSS rate (see Travel Rates/guidelines fr travel csts Meterage fr the current LSS rate). LSS des nt reimburse Gladue reprt writers fr parking. Hspital recrds See als Medical recrds, reprts, and testimny Recrds and reprts. N prir authrizatin required t btain hspital recrds fr amunts under $150. Interpreting and translatin Invices fr services must include the interpreter s/translatr s name and address. Interpreting fr language N prir authrizatin required fr any interpretatin services up t 10 hurs per representatin cntract (maximum hurly rate is $25 fr uncertified interpreters/$35 fr certified interpreters). T be billable, interpretatin services must be perfrmed under the lawyer s supervisin by a prfessinal third-party interpreter wh has experience interpreting April 1, 2019 7
in a curt r legal envirnment. LSS des nt pay fr interpretatin services prvided by emplyees, relatives, r friends. When billing the certified rate, yu are respnsible fr ensuring interpreters meet LSS certificatin guidelines. LSS recgnizes certificatin thrugh membership status with the Sciety f Translatrs and Interpreters f BC (STIBC), cmpletin f the Vancuver Cmmunity Cllege curt interpreting curse, and/r cmpletin f a recgnized interpreter certificatin prgram. Certificatin dcuments must be prvided upn request. LSS des nt accept billing fr minimum time r a flat rate. Fr multiple client claims under the Immigratin Tariff, yu can bill up t 10 hurs per adult client withut prir authrizatin. Interpreting fr the hearing impaired N prir authrizatin required fr any interpretatin services up t 10 hurs per representatin cntract (maximum hurly rate is $50). Sign language interpreters must be certified and perfrm services under the lawyer s supervisin. Translatin fr language LSS will pre-authrize translatin csts f up t $361 (1,900 wrds) fr each immigratin representatin cntract. Prir authrizatin required fr any translatin service (up t $0.19 per English wrd f translatin n flat rates) fr any ther type f representatin cntract. LSS will nt pay fr translating frms that are already available in the required language, but nly fr translating the client infrmatin entered n them. Unless the circumstances are exceptinal, LSS will nt authrize a translatin f any dcument back int the client s language. Meterage Interpreters/translatrs N prir authrizatin required t bill meterage up t 250 kilmetres at the current LSS rate (see Travel Rates/guidelines fr travel csts Meterage fr the current LSS rate). Meterage billable per trip, nt per client, n matter hw many clients are seen. Meterage fr interpreters/translatrs billable fr travel t and frm their ffice t the lawyer s ffice. Deturs t pick up r drp ff clients are nt billable. Parking is nt cvered. 8 April 1, 2019
Lng distance charges N prir authrizatin required. Claim the actual cst f lng-distance charges. Maintain a lng-distance lg detailing the time, rate, and phne number fr each billable item, including cllect calls. Yu will need t prvide this t LSS upn request. D nt bill this item in additin t the Disbursements blck payment. Mediatin/Arbitratin LSS expects that the parties will share the cst f mediatin and/r arbitratin equally. Prir authrizatin required if, in unusual situatins, LSS is required t pay fr the ther party s share f mediatin/arbitratin. Mediatin r arbitratin must be carried ut by a qualified mediatr r arbitratr. Mediatrs and/r arbitratrs may bill preparatin and attendance at the LSS Tier 1 rate fr lawyers (see General Terms and Cnditins Tariff Rates Quick Reference). Preparatin fr mediatin/arbitratin N prir authrizatin required fr preparatin f up t five hurs, which represents yur client s half f the ttal preparatin time (ten hurs). Attendance at mediatin/arbitratin N prir authrizatin required fr up t 7.5 hurs f the mediatr s attendance at mediatin, which represents yur client s half f a fifteen hur mediatin sessin. Meterage Mediatrs/Arbitratrs N prir authrizatin required t bill meterage up t 250 kilmetres at the current LSS rate (see Travel Rates/guidelines fr travel csts Meterage fr the current LSS rate). Medical recrds, reprts, and testimny The listed fees n the fllwing page are based n the Dctrs f BC Guide t Fees. Physicians may bill current rates. Rates and descriptins fr the items belw can be fund n the Dctrs f BC (frmerly BCMA) website at dctrsfbc.ca (click Resurce Centre, then Handbks & Guides, and under Quick-link Sectins f the Guide t Fees, click Medical Legal Matters). April 1, 2019 9
Recrds and reprts Prir authrizatin required t rder mre than ne, per representatin cntract, f each f the fllwing items: Frm cmpletin r simple letter reprting n patient s cnditin (Item A00070) $173.00 Medical-legal letter (Item A00071) $366.00 Medical recrds phtcpying (first 10 pages) (Item A00096) $1.80/page " " " (subsequent pages) (Item A00096) $0.30/page Medical recrds review by physician fr the first 15 minutes (authrizatin required fr any additinal time beynd 15 minutes) (Item A00095) $102.00 Prir authrizatin required fr the fllwing items: Medical-legal reprt (Item A00072) $1,095.00 Medical-legal pinin (Item A00073) $1,832.00 Medical expert testimny The reprt authr may bill fr testimny, as required, withut prir authrizatin, as fllws: General practitiners $248.00 per hur fr up t tw hurs preparatin $248.00 per hur fr actual curt attendance $142.00 per hur fr travel time Specialists $290.00 per hur fr up t tw hurs preparatin $290.00 per hur fr actual curt attendance $163.00 per hur fr travel time LSS pays witnesses preparatin, curt attendance, and travel time in accrdance with the Dctrs f BC Crwn Cunsel Billing Guidelines (Scale B ). See als General Tariff Infrmatin Experts. Prir authrizatin required fr travel fees and expenses. See Travel Witnesses. Miscellaneus Prir authrizatin required fr any item, including any expert, nt specifically listed here as a disbursement item. 10 April 1, 2019
Paternity testing Prir authrizatin required t set the limits f the retainer. LSS will fund a paternity test nly where n presumptin f paternity exists and the putative father is nt in lc parentis. Testing will be authrized nly when n ther means are available t prve r disprve paternity. LSS will nt autmatically authrize paternity testing even if the curt rders a paternity test and rders the parties t share the cst. Phtcpying/Receiving faxes N prir authrizatin required. D nt bill this item in additin t the Disbursements blck payment. In huse Claim up t $0.15 per page. Please maintain a lg t supprt the number f pages cpied r faxes received. LSS may request yur lg t verify yur invice. Third party Claim the reasnable cst paid t an arm s-length third party. Claim cpies made at curthuses at the actual cst up t $1.00 per page. Phtgraphs N prir authrizatin required fr amunts up t $50. Pstage N prir authrizatin required. D nt bill this item in additin t the Disbursements blck payment. Printing electrnic disclsure r transcripts N prir authrizatin required fr charges up t $1,000. Print nly thse prtins f the disclsure r transcripts that are necessary t have in printed frm. If yu request authrizatin t exceed this limit, prvide cst estimates. April 1, 2019 11
In huse Claim up t $0.15 per page. Please maintain a lg t supprt the number f pages printed. LSS may request yur lg t verify yur invice. Third party Claim the reasnable cst paid t an arm s-length third party. Please retain invices and prvide them upn request. Private detectives and investigatrs See als Skip tracing. Prir authrizatin required. Prvide detailed reasns why an investigatr is required and an estimate f the time required. LSS will fund private detectives n a limited basis t carry ut well-defined, discrete tasks. Surveillance will nt be authrized. Prir authrizatin required fr travel fees and expenses. See Travel Witnesses. Psychlgists and psychiatrists Prir authrizatin required t set the limits f the retainer. Experts fees are as fllws: Psychlgists Up t $130.00 per hur fr preparatin Up t $130.00 per hur fr actual curt attendance Up t $69.00 per hur fr travel time Psychiatrists Up t $290.00 per hur fr preparatin Up t $290.00 per hur fr actual curt attendance Up t $163.00 per hur fr travel time Prvide a prpsal stating the number f hurs required fr interviewing, making assessments, reviewing materials, testing, and writing reprts. Include the number f peple t be interviewed and a brief descriptin f their relatinship(s) t the client. LSS will authrize psychlgical/psychiatric assessments that it cnsiders necessary and reasnable. See Authrizatin requests fr further infrmatin. 12 April 1, 2019
Prir authrizatin required fr travel fees and expenses. See Travel Witnesses. Service f curt dcuments N prir authrizatin required if the ttal amunt fr each service des nt exceed $200, including meterage charges. Fr service utside yur jurisdictin, cntact a prcess server directly, unless unusual circumstances require the use f an agent. Ensure prcess servers are aware f current LSS meterage rates. (See Travel Rates/guidelines fr travel csts Meterage fr the current LSS rate.) Skip tracing See als Private detectives and investigatrs. N prir authrizatin required fr amunts up t $200, including meterage charges. Title searches fr prperty and assets N prir authrizatin required t claim the cst f the search. This expense is fr searching fr registered assets under the Land Titles Act and the Persnal Prperty Securities Act. Title searches d nt include payrll and accunting searches. Transcripts (all types) See Transcripts sectin. Travel Lawyers Travel authrized If travel is authrized n yur representatin r duty cunsel cntract under Cntract Details, prir authrizatin is nt required t bill the items listed belw under Rates/guidelines fr travel csts. Travel nt authrized If travel is nt authrized n yur representatin r duty cunsel cntract, yu may bill meterage, parking, bus, train, ferry, taxi fares, and tlls using the guidelines set April 1, 2019 13
ut belw under Rates/guidelines fr travel csts. Request prir authrizatin via LSS Online t bill any ther travel items. General guidelines Yu are expected t arrange the mst ecnmical means f travel unless yu have prir authrizatin fr a mre expensive means. When yu are n travel status and travelling t a lcatin fr multiple LSS cases during the same trip, split the disbursement csts equally between each representatin cntract fr which yu have a curt appearance that day. When yu have bth legal aid and private files, nly bill LSS fr the pr-rated prtin f travel csts that apply t the legal aid files fr which yu have a curt appearance that day. Please read these guidelines in cnjunctin with the Travel billing item f the tariff sectin that applies t the area f law fr yur case. Witnesses Prir authrizatin required t specify the travel expenses allwed fr expert and nn-expert witnesses. Rates fr accmmdatin, airfare, car rental, meals, and meterage as specified belw under Rates/guidelines fr travel csts apply, unless therwise nted n the authrizatin r under the Disbursement items. Fr nn-expert witnesses, see als Cnduct mney. Rates/guidelines fr travel csts Witnesses always require prir authrizatin t bill fr travel expenses as set ut belw. Lawyers may bill travel items withut prir authrizatin if travel is authrized n their representatin r duty cunsel cntract (see relevant guidelines abve). Accmmdatin Yu may bill fr accmmdatin if yu are an ut-f-twn lawyer wh must stay vernight due t the scheduling f a curt prceeding. LSS is authrized t use gvernment persnnel rates fr htel accmmdatin. Yu are expected t chse the mst reasnable accmmdatin at prvincial gvernment standard rm rates fr each lcatin as set ut n the BC gvernment website at csa.pss.gv.bc.ca/businesstravel. Privately wned accmmdatin in all areas, including that f a friend r relative, is authrized up t $40 per night. LSS des nt pay fr any persnal expenses incurred at the htel. 14 April 1, 2019
Airfare Use ecnmy fare rates. Bus, train, ferry, taxi fares, tlls Chse the mst ecnmical means f travel available. Car rental Meals LSS is authrized t use gvernment persnnel rates fr car rental. Use a car rental nly in remte lcatins r if yu arrived at yur destinatin by alternative means (e.g., by air), and a car is the mst reasnable and ecnmical means f transprtatin available there. D nt use a car rental in place f a private vehicle and d nt bill fr meterage. If travel t attend a curt hearing r interview a client in custdy ccurs ver tw half days n the same day (i.e., yu are ut f the ffice fr a full day with n vernight stay), yu may claim a per diem rate f $14.25 fr lunch. If yu are an ut-f-twn lawyer wh must stay vernight fr a curt hearing, yu may claim the fllwing per diem rates (when travel is fr part f a day, claim nly the meals applicable t that prtin f the day spent travelling): $12.25 $14.25 $24.50 OR $51.00 breakfast lunch dinner daily per diem fr meals LSS rates fr meals are based n the BC Public Service Agency (Emplyee Grup 1) rates. Meterage The LSS meterage rate is $0.55 per kilmetre, billable per trip, nt per client, n matter hw many clients yu see. LSS prvides a meterage allwance per kilmetre fr actual distance travelled frm an ffice r hme t a specified destinatin ther than yur ffice (such as attendance at a curthuse, detentin facility, mediatin, meeting with clients and witnesses, r examinatin fr discvery) when using a persnal vehicle fr business relating t a representatin r duty cunsel cntract. The LSS rate fr meterage is based n the BC Public Service Agency rate. Meterage is nt billable fr distance travelled between yur hme and ffice r fr the prtin f distance travelled by aircraft r ferry. Parking Claim actual csts up t $18 per day. April 1, 2019 15
LSS will nt pay parking charges that are part f yur verhead csts. Videcnferencing Prir authrizatin required fr witnesses t testify via videcnferencing. Please inquire whether gvernment rates are available when bking the videcnference. This item relates nly t videcnferencing expenses and nt t the witness expenses. 16 April 1, 2019
Transcripts D I need (and hw d I get) prir authrizatin? Unless therwise specified in this sectin f the tariff, r unless the LSS Appeals Sectin authrizes transcripts when issuing yur representatin cntract, yu must btain prir authrizatin via LSS Online befre rdering transcripts (see Transcript Items). T find ut hw t request prir authrizatin, see the relevant T rder instructins under Transcript Items. If yu rder a transcript (r a different categry f transcript) withut getting prir authrizatin where required, LSS may nt pay fr it. See the Retractive Authrizatin Requests Disbursements plicy. LSS will nt pay rates higher than thse specified n the transcript authrizatin. Nte: If yu submit inaccurate r incmplete infrmatin, yur request may be delayed. Which transcript service prvider can I use? LSS and the Attrney General have exclusive service prvider cntracts with private transcriptin cmpanies t prduce transcripts frm digital audi recrdings f BC Prvincial Curt (criminal and civil) and BC Supreme Curt (criminal) prceedings. Each transcriptin cmpany has the exclusive right t prduce fficial transcripts fr specific curt registries. See Appendix: Transcript Service Prviders fr a list f the transcriptin cmpanies and their service areas. The transcriptin cmpany cntracts d nt cver prceedings befre ther curts r tribunals (e.g. Immigratin and Refugee Bard), examinatins fr discvery, BC Supreme Curt civil prceedings, prceedings in (r within the appellate jurisdictin f) the Federal Curt, r curt prceedings that a curt reprter has been retained t attend. If yu are representing a legal aid client in prceedings where anther party has prpsed retaining a curt reprter, cntact the Case Management Sectin abut the arrangement. Fr appeals and judicial reviews, the exclusive rights f the transcriptin cmpanies extend nly t preparing the riginal transcript f a Supreme Curt (criminal) r Prvincial Curt (criminal and civil) prceeding. Fr the prductin f appeal transcripts ( Red Bks ) and appeal bks ( Blue Bks ) required fr an appeal, yu may retain the designated transcriptin cmpany r an independent appeal bk crdinatr. Hwever, LSS will nt pay rates higher than what the transcriptin cmpany wuld charge t prduce the appeal transcripts and appeal bks. Als nte that if yu chse t use the designated transcriptin cmpany t prepare an appeal bk, yu must btain all cpies required under the applicable Curt f Appeal Rules frm that transcriptin cmpany. April 1, 2019 17
Which categry f transcript can I rder? LSS expects yu t rder the mst ecnmical transcript pssible that satisfies yur time requirements (see Hw are transcripts categrized?). Transcriptin cmpanies charge premium rates fr daily, expedited, and pririty transcripts, s these are authrized nly in exceptinal circumstances. If yu are requesting an expedited transcript, cnsider whether a pririty transcript will satisfy yur time requirements instead. If yu d nt require the transcript fr mre than 10 business days, chse a standard ne. Hw many cpies can I rder and in what frmat? Unless therwise nted in each item belw, when yu rder a transcript fr a nn-appeal prceeding as the first party, the transcriptin cmpany will send ne riginal paper cpy and ne electrnic cpy t the curt registry and ne electrnic cpy (via an electrnic strage device r email) t yu. Yu may print cpies, r prtins, f the electrnic transcript fr yur wn internal use. Please print nly thse prtins f the transcript that are necessary t have in printed frm. Yu can bill the printing cst under the Printing electrnic disclsure r transcripts item. If yu need a paper cpy frm the transcriptin cmpany, yu must first request authrizatin fr a paper cpy frm LSS and prvide reasns why printing yur electrnic cpy des nt meet yur needs. Can I make cpies f transcripts? D nt prvide paper r electrnic cpies f the transcript t ther parties, as they must btain transcripts directly frm the transcriptin cmpany. Yu may, hwever, make cpies fr yur LSS client fr use within yur wn firm, r fr anther LSS lawyer acting fr anther LSS client in a multi-party prceeding (e.g., a c-accused). Wh gets the bill fr transcripts? Fr transcripts f prceedings in BC Prvincial Curt (criminal and civil) r BC Supreme Curt (criminal nly), the cntracted transcriptin cmpany will bill LSS directly fr the transcripts (see Appendix: Transcript Service Prviders fr a list f thse cmpanies). Fr all ther curt r tribunal transcripts (e.g., Immigratin and Refugee Bard r transcripts relating t examinatins fr discvery), the transcript prvider r curt reprter yu chse will bill yu directly. Yu may then invice LSS fr the disbursement via LSS Online. 18 April 1, 2019
Hw are transcripts categrized? Transcripts are classified by the prductin time required, as fllws: Daily transcripts must be prepared and made available t the rdering party by 9 a.m. n the business day fllwing the date the transcripts were requested, prvided the rder was placed with the registry befre 4 p.m. Expedited transcripts must be prepared and made available t the rdering party by the third business day after the date n which they were rdered. Pririty transcripts must be prepared and made available t the rdering party by the tenth business day after the date n which they were rdered. Standard transcripts are delivered t the rdering party within 22 business days after the date n which they were rdered, unless the rdering party cnsents t a lnger perid, r as required fr specific types f prceedings as fllws: Oral reasns fr judgment, sentencing, rulings, r jury charges must be delivered t the judicial fficer fr editing within 5 business days after the transcript is rdered. (Nte: Written reasns fr judgment fr Supreme Curt matters are autmatically psted n the Internet. Oral reasns fr judgment fr Supreme and Prvincial Curt matters are psted n the Internet nly at the directin f the presiding judge.) Transcripts r transcript extracts required fr an appeal must be delivered t the rdering party within 60 days f filing the Ntice f Appeal, unless further extensins are granted by the Curt f Appeal. Transcripts fr reciprcal maintenance hearings, including hearings under the Interjurisdictinal Supprt Order Act, must be delivered t the rdering party within 14 business days after the transcripts are rdered. Transcripts fr preliminary inquiries must be delivered t the rdering party within 22 business days after the transcripts are rdered. Business day means a day, ther than a Saturday r Sunday, n which prvincial gvernment ffices are pen fr nrmal business in British Clumbia. Transcripts may als be classified by the party rdering them, as fllws: First party refers t the first rder placed by any persn fr a transcript, r prtin f a transcript (in paper r electrnic frmat, r bth). Transcriptin cmpanies charge a higher rate fr first party rders. The curt registry will require the transcriptin cmpany t file the riginal transcript, and yu will receive an electrnic cpy f the riginal. If yu require an fficial paper cpy f the riginal, yu must request authrizatin. Secnd party refers t the secnd r subsequent rder placed by any persn fr a transcript, r prtin f a transcript (in paper r electrnic frmat, r bth), if the transcript has already been prduced r is in the prcess f being prduced by a transcriptin cmpany r curt reprter. Transcriptin cmpanies charge a secnd party (cpy) rate that is lwer than the first party rate. If yu are aware that anther April 1, 2019 19
party is submitting a first party rder, and yu place yur rder n the same day as the ther party, yu are entitled t receive the transcript at the same party cpy rate. Transcript Items This sectin describes the transcript items, and indicates whether r nt prir authrizatin is required. Unless therwise specified in this sectin, r unless the LSS Appeals Sectin authrizes transcripts when issuing yur representatin cntract, yu need prir authrizatin fr the transcript items belw. Any transcript item nt listed belw requires prir authrizatin. Bail reviews N prir authrizatin required t rder first party standard transcripts fr bail reviews in Prvincial Curt nly. When yu rder at the first party standard rate, yur rder will include the riginal fr the curt registry, a paper cpy fr yur applicatin, and an electrnic cpy fr yu. If yu require a secnd paper cpy fr yur wn use, yu can print frm the electrnic cpy, r request ne in yur initial transcript rder withut seeking prir authrizatin frm LSS. Preliminary inquiries N prir authrizatin required t rder standard transcripts. When yu rder at the first party standard rate, yur rder will include the riginal fr the curt registry, and an electrnic cpy fr yu. If yu require a paper cpy fr yur wn use, yu can print frm the electrnic cpy, r request ne in yur initial transcript rder withut seeking prir authrizatin frm LSS. Sectin 11(b) Charter applicatins N prir authrizatin required t rder standard transcripts. When yu rder at the first party standard rate, yur rder will include the riginal fr the curt registry, a paper cpy fr yur applicatin, and an electrnic cpy fr yu. If yu require a secnd paper cpy fr yur wn use, yu can print frm the electrnic cpy, r request ne in yur initial transcript rder withut seeking prir authrizatin frm LSS. 20 April 1, 2019
T rder transcripts fr bail reviews, preliminary inquiries, and s. 11(b) Charter applicatins: Nte: Unless therwise specified, frms are prvided in LSS Online under Resurces Frms. 1. If n authrizatin is required, cmplete the applicable sectins f the Transcript Order Frm and send it directly t the apprpriate transcriptin cmpany. Fr Criminal Case Management (CCM) cases, indicate this n the Transcript Order Frm. 2. Fr nn-ccm cases, if authrizatin is required, submit a transcript authrizatin request via LSS Online. Use the transcript authrizatin infrmatin t cmplete the Transcript Order Frm. Send the Transcript Order Frm and a cpy f the LSS transcript authrizatin directly t the transcriptin cmpany. 3. Fr CCM cases, if authrizatin is required, cmplete an authrizatin request in the CCM prtal. Use the transcript authrizatin infrmatin t cmplete the Transcript Order Frm. Send the Transcript Order Frm and a cpy f the LSS transcript authrizatin directly t the transcriptin cmpany. 4. T identify the apprpriate transcriptin cmpany, see Appendix: Transcript Service Prviders. Digital audi recrding CD Fr details, see the Digital audi recrding CD item in the Disbursement Items sectin. Examinatins fr discvery and applicatins t set aside ex parte rders Prir authrizatin required fr any transcripts f examinatins fr discvery r applicatins t set aside ex parte rders. LSS will nt pay any amunt that exceeds the rates set ut in the current Official Reprters Regulatin. Fr examinatins fr discvery: if yu are discvering the ppsing party, LSS may authrize first party rdinary transcripts. The curt reprter will prvide the riginal transcript t the curt registry and ne cpy t yu. if the ppsing party is discvering yur client, LSS may authrize ne cpy at the secnd party rdinary rate. LSS will pay attendance and rm rental nly if yu discver the ppsing party. April 1, 2019 21
yu may retain any curt reprter yu chse t transcribe examinatins fr discvery in family cases. Fr applicatins t set aside ex parte rders, LSS will authrize first party standard transcripts. T rder transcripts fr examinatins fr discvery and applicatins t set aside ex parte rders: 1. Submit a transcript authrizatin request via LSS Online. 2. Fr examinatins fr discvery, cntact the curt reprter f yur chice and prvide them with a cpy f the LSS transcript authrizatin. The curt reprter shuld bill yu directly. Yu may claim the transcript csts as a disbursement frm LSS. When billing via LSS Online, yu must attach a cpy f the curt reprter s invice. 3. Fr applicatins t set aside an ex parte rder, cntact the designated transcriptin cmpany and prvide them with a cpy f the LSS transcript authrizatin. The transcriptin cmpany will bill LSS directly. Nn-appeal prceedings befre a curt r tribunal Prir authrizatin required fr any transcripts f pre-trial r trial prceedings r prceedings befre a tribunal. Fr trial transcripts n cntinuatin, LSS will cnsider transcript requests nly if: mre than three mnths have elapsed since the last trial date, there has been a change f lawyer, there has been mre than ne cntinuatin, r the curt has requested written submissins. Fr transcripts f Chambers rders, LSS will authrize transcripts nly if the cntent f the rder cannt be determined frm the clerk s ntes r the curt s digital audi recrding system (where a cpy f the DARS is available withut a curt applicatin). 22 April 1, 2019
T rder transcripts fr nn-appeal prceedings befre a curt r tribunal: 1. Submit a transcript authrizatin request via LSS Online. 2. Use the LSS transcript authrizatin infrmatin t cmplete a Transcript Order Frm (prvided in LSS Online under Resurces Frms). Send this frm and a cpy f the LSS transcript authrizatin t the designated transcriptin cmpany. 3. When rdering Supreme Curt ral reasns, rulings, r jury charges, als cmplete and send a Finalizatin and Distributin f Oral Transcriptin Request Frm t the transcriptin cmpany. Curt reprter s attendance at prceeding LSS will authrize a curt reprter s attendance at a prceeding nly in exceptinal circumstances. Please submit an authrizatin request via LSS Online, explaining why a curt reprter is necessary. Appeals and judicial reviews General Prir authrizatin required fr all transcripts fr appeals and judicial reviews. With sme exceptins (nted belw), the LSS Appeals Sectin will rdinarily include a transcript authrizatin when it issues a representatin cntract. Fr Crwn appeals (f acquittals, sentence, r ther matters), the Crwn is respnsible fr rdering transcripts and prviding them t yu. If Crwn has nt prvided transcripts fr the prtins f the trial that yu need, submit a transcript authrizatin request fr a supplemental transcript via LSS Online (see T rder transcripts fr appeals r judicial reviews). Cnsider rdering nly thse parts f the transcript necessary t advance the issues yu have decided t argue and nly thse exhibits required t determine the appeal r judicial review. Discuss with ppsing cunsel befre rdering the transcript as ppsing cunsel may feel that additinal evidence must be available fr the curt t cnsider, especially in cases where yu are suggesting the verdict was unreasnable. If in dubt abut the sufficiency f the prtins f the transcript yu and ppsing cunsel are prpsing t use, seek directin frm a Chambers judge. Appeals and judicial reviews BC Superir Curts Curt f Appeal Yu usually require a transcript f the prceedings in the lwer curt r tribunal (the Red Bk), and an appeal bk cntaining all relevant pleadings, exhibits, rders, and rulings (the Blue Bk). Fr mst criminal appeals, yu must file an riginal plus April 1, 2019 23
five cpies f bth bks (ne fr the registry, three fr the judges hearing the appeal, and ne each fr the lawyers). Yu are respnsible fr deciding what material the appeal bk shuld include. Fr exhibits, cntact the trial curt registry t btain an exhibit list, select the relevant material, and ask the transcriptin cmpany t include it in the appeal bk. Fr mre infrmatin abut transcript requirements, cnsult the Curt f Appeal Rules (fr civil appeals), r the Criminal Appeal Rules (fr criminal appeals), and/r cntact the Curt f Appeal Registry. Fr appeals against sentence nly, the Curt f Appeal Registry will rder transcripts f the prceedings at sentence, and prvide yu with a cpy if the transcripts f the lwer curt sentencing prceeding are n lnger than 100 pages. If they exceed 100 pages, yu will have t rder the transcripts. In such cases, submit a transcript authrizatin request via LSS Online. Supreme Curt Fr summary cnvictin appeals in Supreme Curt, yu usually have t file an riginal plus three cpies f the transcript (the riginal fr the curt file, and cpies fr the judge and cunsel). Exhibits that frm part f the trial recrd in Prvincial Curt are transferred directly t the Supreme Curt registry where the appeal will be heard, s a separate Appeal Bk is nt generally required. Fr mre infrmatin, cnsult the General Criminal Rules, r cntact the curt registry. Fr all ther appeals and judicial reviews in Supreme Curt, cnsult the applicable rules, and/r cntact the curt registry t determine exactly what is required. Appeals and judicial reviews Immigratin and prisn law appeals Fr appeals t the Refugee Appeal Divisin (RAD) f the Immigratin and Refugee Bard, the LSS Appeals Sectin will nt rdinarily authrize transcripts as cunsel can usually rely n the audi recrding f the refugee hearing. If yu require transcripts fr a RAD appeal, submit a transcript authrizatin request via LSS Online. Fr Federal Curt judicial reviews r appeals in immigratin matters, the LSS Appeals Sectin will rdinarily include a transcript authrizatin with yur representatin cntract. T determine what yu must file, cnsult the Federal Curt Rules, r the Federal Curt Immigratin Rules, r cntact the curt registry. Fr judicial reviews r appeals in prisn law cases, the LSS Appeals Sectin will include a transcript authrizatin with yur representatin cntract where it is readily apparent that ne is required given the issues in the case. Otherwise, yu will need t submit a transcript authrizatin request via LSS Online. 24 April 1, 2019
T rder transcripts fr appeals r judicial reviews: Nte: Unless therwise specified, frms are prvided in LSS Online under Resurces Frms. 1. If yur representatin cntract includes a transcript authrizatin, review the authrizatin details. Yu may need t cntact the Appeals Sectin at helpdesk.appeals@lss.bc.ca t prvide additinal infrmatin abut the transcripts yu need, including an estimate f the prceeding length, s LSS can authrize the apprpriate number f pages ( units ). Yu d nt need t submit a transcript authrizatin request via LSS Online unless yu are specifically asked t d s. 2. If yur representatin cntract des nt include a transcript authrizatin, submit a transcript authrizatin request via LSS Online. 3. Once yu receive the LSS transcript authrizatin, use the infrmatin t cmplete a Transcript Order Frm. Send this frm and a cpy f the LSS transcript authrizatin t the apprpriate transcriptin cmpany r appeal bk crdinatr. 4. Fr Supreme Curt ral reasns, rulings, r jury charges, als cmplete and send a Finalizatin and Distributin f Oral Transcriptin Request Frm t the transcriptin cmpany r appeal bk crdinatr. 5. Fr Federal Curt judicial reviews in immigratin matters, yu will need t request a recrding f the prceedings frm the Immigratin and Refugee Bard, and submit that recrding, the Transcript Order Frm, and a cpy f the LSS transcript authrizatin t the apprpriate transcriptin cmpany. 6. If yu have questins abut yur transcript authrizatin, the prcess fr requesting LSS authrizatin, r rdering transcripts, cntact the LSS Appeals Sectin at helpdesk.appeals@lss.bc.ca. April 1, 2019 25
Appendix: Transcript Service Prviders Transcript Service Prviders Curt regin and lcatins Type f prceeding Service area Transcript service prvider (cntact inf n page 27) Vancuver Island: Campbell River, Curtenay, Duncan, Ganges*, Gld River*, Nanaim, Prt Alberni, Prt Hardy, Pwell River, Sidney*, Tahsis*, Tfin*, Ucluelet*, Victria, Western Cmmunities Lwer Mainland: Bella Bella*, Bella Cla*, Nrth Vancuver, Pembertn*, Rbsn Square (800 Hrnby Street), Sechelt, Vancuver Prvincial Curt (222 Main Street) Criminal 1.0 Civil 2.0 Criminal 3.0 Civil 4.0 JC Wrd Assist JC Wrd Assist Fraser: Chilliwack, New Westminster Criminal Supreme 5.1 JC Wrd Assist Fraser: Abbtsfrd, Chilliwack, New Westminster, Prt Cquitlam, Richmnd, Surrey Criminal Prvincial 5.2 Verbatim Fraser: Chilliwack, New Westminster Civil Supreme 6.1 JC Wrd Assist Fraser: Abbtsfrd, Chilliwack, New Westminster, Prt Cquitlam, Richmnd, Surrey Civil Prvincial 6.2 Verbatim Interir: Ashcrft*, Castlegar*, Chase*, Clearwater, Cranbrk, Crestn*, Fernie*, Glden, Grand Frks, Invermere, Kamlps, Kelwna, Lillet*, Merritt*, Nakusp*, Nelsn, Pentictn, Princetn*, Revelstke*, Rssland, Salmn Arm, Sparwd*, Vernn Criminal 7.0 Civil 8.0 JC Wrd Assist Nrth: Alexis Creek*, Anahim Lake*, Atlin*, Burns Lake*, Chetwynd*, Dawsn Creek, Dease Lake*, Frt Nelsn*, Frt St. James*, Frt St. Jhn, Frt Ware*, Gd Hpe Lake*, Hustn*, Hudsn Hpe*, Kitimat*, Lwer Pst*, Mackenzie*, Masset*, McBride*, New Aiyansh*, Hazeltn*, 100 Mile Huse*, Prince Gerge, Prince Rupert, Queen Charltte City, Quesnel, Smithers, Stewart*, Terrace, Tsay Keh Dene*, Tumbler Ridge*, Valemnt, Vanderhf*, Williams Lake Criminal 9.0 Civil 10.0 JC Wrd Assist 26 April 1, 2019
Curt regin and lcatins Type f prceeding Service area Transcript service prvider (cntact inf is belw) Vancuver Law Curts: Curt f Appeal, Vancuver Law Curts Criminal 11.0 Civil 12.0 JC Wrd Assist * indicates curt lcatins that are nt staffed n a permanent basis Transcript service prvider cntact infrmatin Service area JC WrdAssist Ltd. 111 Skinner Street Nanaim, BC V9R 5E8 614 808 Nelsn Street Vancuver, BC V6Z 2H2 101 821 Burdett Avenue Victria, BC V8W 1B3 188 Crless Crescent Prince Gerge, BC V2M 6B1 4415 29th Street Vernn, BC V1T 5B7 Tel: 250-754-7822 Fax: 250-754-3245 Tll-free tel: 1-888-811-9882 Tll-free fax: 1-800-754-3020 Email: admin@jcwrd.cm Website: jcwrd.cm Tel: 604-669-6550 Tll-free:1-877-979-0996 Fax: 604-669-6512 Tel: 250-477-8080 Tll-free: 1-877-979-0997 Fax: 250-477-1339 Tel: 250-564-7970 Tll-free: 1-877-966-0665 Fax: 250-564-7977 Tel: 250-260-3496 Tll-free: 1-888-679-5599 Fax: 250-260-3462 1.0, 2.0, 3,0, 4.0, 5.1, 6.1, 7.0, 8.0, 9.0, 10.0, 11.0, 12.0 Verbatim Wrds West Ltd. 260 13711 72nd Avenue Surrey, BC V3W 2P2 Tel: 604-591-6677 Tll-free: 1-888-860-6677 Fax: 604-591-1567 Email: rderdesk@verbatimwrds.ca Website: verbatimwrds.ca 5.2, 6.2 April 1, 2019 27