Prince George, B.C.- The B.C. Court of Appeal is trying to set a new tone as it moves into its second century of operation.

In a special sitting of the Court in Prince George, Court of Appeal Chief Justice Lance Finch told those in attendance the Court of Appeal belongs to all of B.C., and would welcome the opportunity to return to Prince George to hear cases, especially if those cases are of a particular interest to this community.

Justice Finch also noted the advance of technology, making reference to the fact one of the speakers before the Court spoke from notes on an electronic notepad as opposed to words written on paper. The change also noted in the fact the Court approved the taking of pictures during the special sitting, cameras are not normally allowed in a court room.

This was just the second time the Court of Appeal has held a sitting in Prince George. At a special dinner following the sitting, Chief Justice Finch joked  that he wondered if that was because the Judges in Prince George are always right, or is it that the legal profession in Prince George doesn’t “mislead” the court as much as happens in the lower mainland?

Chief Justice Finch said the 100^th anniversary of the B.C. Court of Appeal is an opportunity to reflect on the hard work of its predecessors, recognize the work of all court employees, recognize the Court’s remarkable past, and set the tone for the future.

There are two more special sittings planned for the Court of Appeal, one will take place in Kelowna, the other in Kamloops.