News and Announcements

Canadian Lawyer spoke to a member of the Calgary bar about the Alberta Court of Appeal's new public portal of its digital case management system (CAMS) and how the portal is helping make the appeal process more accessible. The online tool, which officially launched on August 31, 2020, allows lawyers and self-represented litigants to file case materials electronically through the court's website as well as have access to information about their appeals. Also included in the article is a link to Chief Justice Catherine A. Fraser's video announcing the portal's launch.

Alberta Chief Justice Catherine A. Fraser unveils the public portal of the Court's digital case management system, CAMS, which allows counsel and self-represented litigants to file documents electronically and access all of their case materials and information about their appeals online. The Chief Justice also discusses the history of the CAMS project, its importance to the Court’s goal of fully digitizing its operations and how the new system is helping to improve the delivery of justice.

On August 31, 2020, the Court of Appeal will launch the public portal of its digital Court of Appeal Management System (CAMS). Starting Monday, in addition to filing materials electronically, counsel and self-represented litigants will have online access to all of their case materials and can retrieve other information about their appeals including the full text of all filed documents, deadlines, hearing dates, outcomes and more. CAMS already enables judges and court staff to access and work with all court files electronically.

The purpose of this Notice is to confirm that the Court of Appeal will continue to use electronic hearings for all Court proceedings until at least November 1, 2020.

On October 1, 2020, the Court of Appeal will commence an Appeal Conference (AC) pilot project for all Family Law Fast Track Appeals. The purpose of the pilot project is to increase access to justice and encourage resolution between parties of outstanding appeals in an effort to reduce family conflicts and expenses.

The Court of Appeal is continuing its efforts to encourage early resolution of appeal matters by, in part, expanding the existing Judicial Dispute Resolution (JDR) program. The Court’s JDRs are governed by Rules 14.60 and 14.61, and Part D of the Consolidated Practice Directions (CPD).

On June 30, 2020, the Court of Appeal announced that it would launch the public portal of its e-filing system called CAMS on August 31, 2020.

On August 31, 2020, the Court of Appeal of Alberta will launch the public portal of its e-filing system called CAMS. The Court of Appeal Management System (CAMS) is a comprehensive case and document management system and an electronic filing system that provides registered users the ability to electronically initiate an appeal, file materials, pay applicable fees and more.

Counsel and self-represented litigants are now required to complete and submit a Confidentiality or Privacy Concerns Form prior to electronic hearings. A fillable e-form and instructions are included in this notice.

This notice provides an update on attendance at electronic hearings, now open to counsel and self-represented litigants, media and the wider public in accordance with the process set forth in this Notice. Also, a reminder of electronic resources available.

The suspension on appellate judicial dispute resolution has been lifted. However, until further notice, appellate JDR, as well as bar admissions, will be conducted through online video conference only.

The Court of Queen’s Bench and Provincial Court are scheduled to increase in-person hearings July 6, 2020. Accordingly, to enhance safe access to Alberta courthouses, effective that day, all persons entering a courthouse in Alberta shall be required to wear a face mask while in any public area of the courthouse subject to the exceptions outline in this notice.

The Court of Appeal is pleased to announce that it will launch the public portal of its e-­filing system called CAMS on August 31, 2020.

On May 21, Chief Justice Catherine A. Fraser and the Advocates’ Society had a fireside chat to discuss how the Court of Appeal has navigated the COVID-19 pandemic, including moving to virtual hearings, and the ongoing work to “digitize” Alberta’s top court.

Canadian Lawyer has surveyed a number of chief justices of courts across Canada on how they are handling the COVID-19 crisis. Here, in the second of the series, Catherine Fraser, Chief Justice of Alberta and the Northwest Territories, answers Canadian Lawyer’s questions about COVID-19’s impact on the Court of Appeal of Alberta.

Update to the Canadian Bar Association and Law Society from Alberta's three courts on the steps being taken to return to more regular sittings for the trial courts in response to the provincial government’s recent relaxation of some COVID-19 restrictions.

Update to the Canadian Bar Association and Law Society of Alberta from Alberta's three courts on the measures being taken to assure the delivery of justice during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Notice to the Profession - 2021 Sitting Dates

This notice provides procedural information for participants of electronic hearings, which are being used for all matters as part of the court’s pandemic response plan.

Effective April 1, 2020, the Court of Appeal has adopted the Court of Queen's Bench practice regarding remote commissioning of affidavits.