Judges now have more leeway in weighing the extent of hardship that court fees might incur. (CBC)

The B.C. government can charge fees for court time so long as judges have broad discretion to determine who cannot afford them, the B.C. Appeal Court says, overturning an earlier decision that declared such fees unconstitutional.

The Appeal Court ruling stems from a family law case in which a woman named Montserrat Vilardell said she could not afford the $3,600 she was charged for a 10-day trial. The case involved a range of issues including custody her and her husband's children.

Vilardell asked the court to waive those fees, prompting arguments involving the provincial government and several intervener groups about whether the fees were even legal.

The B.C. Supreme Court ruled last year the fees are unconstitutional, because, while the very poor are exempt, they still apply to middle-class litigants who might also be prevented from pursuing their legal claim because of onerous fees.

In a ruling issued Friday, the Appeal Court rejected the finding that the fees are unconstitutional, and instead attempts to balance the government's right to charge fees with the ability of plaintiffs to access the courts.

Now includes those 'in need'

The three-judge Appeal Court panel said regulations that outline who may be exempt from the fees — litigants who are labelled indigent — should be expanded to include anyone a judge determines is "in need."

"The phrase is intended to cover those who could not meet their everyday expenses if they were required to pay the fees," Justice Ian Donald wrote in a unanimous decision.

"Courts will continue to use their discretion to determine whether a litigant is impoverished or in need to the point that, but for the hearing fees, they would be able to pursue their claim."

With that in mind, the court said Vilardell — a veterinarian who said the hearing fees amounted to a month's income — does not have to pay the fees.

Currently, provincial regulations define indigent litigants as those who receive income assistance, disability payments or who are "impoverished." Donald said the third category should be expanded to read "impoverished or in need."

He noted fees disproportionately affect women in family law cases, aboriginals, people with disabilities and recent immigrants, and he wrote that those groups should be assured they won't be prevented from accessing the justice system because of burdensome fees.

However, Donald rejected the argument that it is always unconstitutional to charge fees to access the courts.

He concluded the government has a right to charge fees to recover costs and encourage parties to use court time efficiently.