News and Announcements

  • COVID-19 – Electronic Hearings Extended to February 25, 2022

    Dec 17, 2021
    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.
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  • COVID-19 - Electronic Hearings Extended to January 1, 2022

    Oct 19, 2021
    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.
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  • COVID-19 - All Courts' Vaccination Policy and Access to Courtrooms in Alberta Courthouses

    Oct 1, 2021
    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.
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  • COVID-19 - All Courts' Vaccination Policies and Access to Restricted Court Workspaces

    Sep 21, 2021
    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.
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  • National Day for Truth and Reconciliation

    Sep 8, 2021
    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.
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  • Alberta Judicial Appointments Announced

    Sep 7, 2021
    The Honourable Justice L. Bernette Ho, a Justice of the Court of Queen’s Bench of Alberta in Calgary, is appointed a Justice of the Court of Appeal of Alberta to replace Justice J.D.B. McDonald who elected supernumerary judge effective August 31, 2018. The Honourable Justice Anne Kirker, a Justice of the Court of Queen’s Bench of Alberta in Calgary, is appointed a Justice of the Court of Appeal of Alberta to replace Justice B.K. O’Ferrall who elected supernumerary judge effective March 3, 2021.
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  • COVID-19 - Return to In-Person Hearings

    Jul 21, 2021
    Effective November 1, 2021, the Court of Appeal will resume in-person proceedings for all appeal sittings and applications before three-judge panels. Full details are included in the attached notice.
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  • COVID-19 - Continued Restricted Access and Mandatory Masks at Courthouses

    Jun 25, 2021
    Access to all courthouses in Alberta will continue to be restricted in accordance with the Courts’ Notice dated November 27, 2020 until further notice. The mask requirements set out in the Courts’ Notice dated July 3, 2020 will continue to apply to individuals attending at courthouses, subject to the exceptions noted therein. Anyone claiming a medical or disability exemption from the masking requirement must provide proof thereof. For those who do not have a face mask, one can be obtained from perimeter security at the entrance to the courthouse. All current protocols relating to physical distancing and courtroom capacity will continue until further notice.
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  • COVID-19 - Restricted Access to Courthouses and Mandatory Masks

    May 7, 2021
    In light of the ongoing public health crisis caused by the pandemic, access to all courthouses in Alberta continues to be restricted, and masks continue to be mandatory for visitors. Full details are included in the attached notices.
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  • 2022 Court of Appeal sitting dates

    Apr 26, 2021
    The 2022 Court of Appeal sitting dates are now available. Details and the list of dates are included in this notice.
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  • All Courts' Message on the Law Society of Alberta "My Experience" Project

    Apr 1, 2021
    On behalf of the Alberta judiciary, we applaud the lawyers and law students for their bravery in sharing their experiences of racial discrimination as part of the “My Experience” Project. The experiences related contain uncomfortable but compelling truths. They put a face on bias, unconscious or otherwise, and the harmful consequences flowing from it. And they bring home to the judiciary the leadership role we must play to ensure that the justice system in this province mirrors the fair and equal treatment of all so vital to our democracy.
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  • New Calgary Court of Appeal Building - Message from the Chief Justice

    Mar 29, 2021
    Alberta Chief Justice Catherine A. Fraser's message on the March 29, 2021, announcement by the Government of Alberta that Budget 2021 includes $57.3 million to construct a new, state-of-the-art Court of Appeal building in the Calgary courts precinct. The project will also revise and incorporate the city's 107-year-old historic Court of Appeal Building. In addition to commenting on the benefits of the project for the province, the Chief Justice touches on the history of the old building and it's significance to the Court and the city.
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  • Procedures When Inmate Declines to Appear Via Video Conference

    Mar 16, 2021
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  • Amendments to E-filing Practice Direction

    Feb 26, 2021
    Effective March 15, 2021, the Court of Appeal of Alberta Practice Direction on Electronic Filling is amended. Details of the amendments are included in this notice.
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  • Mandatory Electronic Filing

    Feb 8, 2021
    On March 1 2021, e-filing will become mandatory. Effective that date, all documents, including correspondence, must be formatted in accordance with the Practice Direction on Electronic Filing and filed via the Court of Appeal Management System (CAMS). Unless an exemption from e-filing is granted, paper documents at the counter and documents via email will not be accepted.
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  • Amendments to the Criminal Appeal Rules

    Dec 22, 2020
    Effective December 14, 2020, amendments were made to Part 16 of the Alberta Rules of Court, the Court of Appeal of Alberta Criminal Appeal Rules, including a new Release Order relating to judicial interim release pending appeal.
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  • Condensed Books

    Dec 18, 2020
    The decision to hold oral arguments electronically during the pandemic has highlighted a challenge during submissions when counsel and self-represented litigants refer the panel to materials in the record before the Court. As a result, commencing February 1, 2021, parties will have the option of filing a Condensed Book as an aid to assist in oral argument in both civil and criminal appeals.
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  • Revised 2021 Sitting Dates

    Dec 17, 2020
    The 2021 Court of Appeal sitting dates have been revised. Details and the new list of dates are included in this notice.
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  • COVID-19 - Restricted Access to Courthouses

    Nov 27, 2020
    The Alberta Courts are attempting to balance the open court principle with public health priorities. Given the ongoing public health crisis, the Courts are continuing to take proactive preventative measures to protect justice system participants and reduce the spread of COVID-19. Access to all courthouses in the province of Alberta continues to be restricted until further notice.
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  • Covid-19 - Electronic Hearings Update

    Oct 27, 2020
    The purpose of this Notice is to advise that, unless otherwise directed, all proceedings will continue to be heard electronically by videoconference until further notice.
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