British Columbia has appointed nine new provincial court judges - including one in Nanaimo, the government announced Tuesday.

The move comes as the province faces intense criticism over delays in the justice system, including from judges themselves.

"Our government has been consistent in saying it would always consider appointing judges as one of the solutions to ease pressures on the justice system, but these newest appointees are only part of a solution for a justice system in need of reform," Attorney General Shirley Bond said in a statement issued Tuesday.

"In the coming days, we'll be looking very closely at larger reform of the system and specifically how we can find efficiencies and long-term solutions to the pressures our courts are facing, instead of just looking at more funding as the only answer" she added.

Four of the new judges announced Tuesday will be appointed to the Greater Vancouver and Fraser Valley regions, with another two being placed in Prince George.

One new judge has been appointed to each of Nanaimo, Smithers and Penticton.

The judges were assigned in response to the court's specific needs throughout the province, the government said.

Paul Pearson, co-chairman of the Canadian Bar Association, Victoria criminal section, welcomed the news but said more judges are needed.

"In Victoria, we're still waiting up to a year for trial dates, which is totally unacceptable," Pearson said. "The reality is the appointment of the judges is only part of the issue."

Court staff, sheriffs and legal aid all need funding, he said. When people can't afford lawyers due to cuts to legal aid and then represent themselves in court, the system slows down, he said.