News and Announcements

There are a significant number of Forms and Templates posted to the Alberta Court of Appeal’s website and elsewhere that contain references to the Court of Queen’s Bench of Alberta or Her Majesty the Queen. With the passing of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II and section 2.1 of the Court of Queen’s Bench Act, the Court of Queen’s Bench immediately became the Court of King’s Bench. The Alberta government has indicated here that legislation that refers to the Court of Queen’s Bench or Her Majesty will be amended as soon as possible. In the interim period, counsel and litigants are encouraged to adopt the new nomenclature of Court of King’s Bench and His Majesty in filings. However, the Court will continue to accept Forms and other filed documents that refer to the Court of Queen’s Bench of Alberta or Her Majesty the Queen until further notice.

On behalf of Alberta’s Courts, on the passing of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, we extend our heartful sympathies to Her Late Majesty’s eldest son, King Charles III, and to all members of the Royal Family.

EDMONTON, JULY 29, 2022 – After 30 years as Chief Justice of Alberta, the Honourable Catherine Anne Fraser, who is also Chief Justice of both the Northwest Territories and Nunavut Courts of Appeal, is retiring effective July 30, 2022. Her appointment as Alberta’s Chief Justice on March 12, 1992 marked the first time a woman had been appointed chief justice of a province in Canada.

Effective July 4, 2022, masking, as with social distancing, is no longer mandatory in public areas, including courtrooms, or secure workplaces in Alberta courthouses. However, a presiding Judge or Master may direct either or both masking and social distancing in a particular courtroom where the circumstances so warrant.

Covid-19 prevention measures remain in force.

Effective May 24, 2022, social distancing requirements and related capacity limits due to COVID‑19 will be rescinded in some courtrooms in Alberta as noted below. While social distancing in those courtrooms will no longer be required, it is, nevertheless, still encouraged. We stress that social distancing and capacity limits remain in effect in all Provincial Court courtrooms until further notice. All restrictions in relation to masking, vaccination policies and the current use of Plexiglass remain in effect until further notice.

The open court principle is a hallmark of any democratic society. Public access to court proceedings fosters many fundamental values including public confidence in the judicial system, understanding of the administration of justice and judicial accountability. The open court principle is inextricably linked to the freedom of expression and freedom of the press as protected by s. 2(b) of the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms. Included within the open court principle is the public’s right to access court records. The Court of Appeal of Alberta will adopt the attached Policy for Public Access to the Court Record on May 2, 2022.

The Court of Appeal will resume in-person hearings on May 2, 2022 as set out below. As always during the pandemic, the Court is guided by several considerations including the continuing need to ensure the health and safety of all Court participants.

Join the Chief Justice of Alberta, Justices, and senior staff of the Court of Appeal for a discussion on current and future state of court operations, including virtual and hybrid hearings, appeal conferences and JDRs, public access to court records and more. We welcome your input on these topics at this time.

The purpose of this Notice is to advise that, due to short-term operational challenges, unless otherwise directed, all appeal sittings, applications before three‑judge panels and Bar Admissions will continue to be heard electronically until April 29, 2022. Appeal Conferences, Judicial Dispute Resolution matters and single judge matters will continue to be heard electronically until further notice.

The 2023 Court of Appeal Sitting Dates are attached.

Throughout the COVID–19 pandemic, courthouses across the province have been operating under restrictions designed to ensure the safety of all participants. Given the unique position of the Courts, where persons who attend are often compelled to do so, and where vulnerable segments of the population attend, there is an ongoing need to continue with the restrictions and policies presently in place until further notice.

The purpose of this Notice is to advise that, unless otherwise directed, all appeal sittings, applications before three-judge panels and Bar Admissions will continue to be heard electronically until March 25, 2022 with a return to in-person starting March 28, 2022. Appeal Conferences, Judicial Dispute Resolution matters and single judge matters will continue to be heard electronically until further notice.

Unless otherwise directed, all appeal sittings, applications before three‑judge panels, applications before a single judge and Bar Admissions will continue to be heard electronically until February 25, 2022; and Appeal Conferences and Judicial Dispute Resolution matters will continue to be heard electronically until further notice.

The purpose of this Notice is to advise that, unless otherwise directed, all proceedings - including applications before a single judge, Appeal Conferences, Appellate Judicial Dispute Resolution and Bar Admissions - will continue to be heard electronically by videoconference or teleconference until January 1, 2022.

The Courts now provide notice that effective November 1, 2021, all Court staff, including clerks and court technology personnel, and Sheriffs must be fully vaccinated to access courtrooms in Alberta courthouses. Full details are included in the attached notice.

The Court of Appeal of Alberta, the Court of Queen’s Bench of Alberta and the Provincial Court of Alberta (the Courts) have a responsibility to provide a safe workspace that protects the health and safety of individuals who work in, visit, or attend the Courts’ workspaces. Accordingly, the Courts have adopted mandatory Vaccination Policies which will be in effect as of Tuesday, September 21, 2021. These Policies apply to all secure areas of courthouses used by judicial officers and certain staff to which public access is restricted. Full details are included in the attached notice.

The Government of Canada recently passed legislation to make September 30 a federal statutory holiday called the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation. This is an important step in the truth and reconciliation process. Its purpose is to provide an opportunity to recognize and commemorate the tragic history and ongoing legacy of residential schools and to honour their survivors, their families and communities.