News and Announcements

The current agreement between the Government of Alberta and the Alberta Union of Provincial Employees includes a provision for Christmas closure. The Court of Appeal of Alberta will be closed on December 24, 2022 through January 2, 2023. On December 29, and 30, 2022 the Court of Appeal will hear only emergency applications. Any material that would ordinarily be filed on those days can be filed on January 3, 2023.

The access policy contained in the Tri-Court Notice of September 21, 2021 setting out access requirements for counsel, service providers and visitors to the secure areas of Alberta courthouses is rescinded effective November 14th, 2022.

The May 2023 Court sitting dates are amended so that the Sentence Appeal Hearings in Edmonton commence on May 24, 2023.

As a result of the demise of the Crown, the name of the Court of Queen’s Bench has been automatically changed to the Court of King’s Bench.

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.