COVID-19 Announcements Archive

Commencing June, July and August, 2020, the Court will be hearing some short, judge-alone Criminal trials in-person in COVID-safe courtrooms. The Court will also be hearing some short, judge-alone Criminal trials via Webex video, where the accused is represented by Counsel and both Crown and Defence Counsel agree to proceed in this manner.

The Court of Queen's Bench will extend its limitation of hearings to emergency and urgent matters only to June 26, 2020, and the adjournment of criminal jury trials and jury selections to September 8, 2020, per the Court's Master Order #4 of May 14, 2020. Master Order #4 is a supplement to, and does not replace, Master Order #3 of April 21, 2020.

To assist with scheduling, the Court is releasing the Roster Justices sitting in May 2020. Scheduling does not change; please continue to follow the appropriate protocol.

Individuals who are eligible and wish to seek admission to the Bar of Alberta are asked to apply through the Court's Emergency/Urgent Hearing Request online form, available here: https://www.albertacourts.ca/qb/court-operations-schedules/urgent

Legal Aid Alberta is providing legal assistance to parties to Court of Queen's Bench Emergency Protection Order Review hearings remotely. See the Legal Aid Alberta announcement, and important information for Applicants and Respondents, at this link: https://www.legalaid.ab.ca/Pages/default.aspx

Court of Queen’s Bench Administration has extended the cap on email and fax filing fees until June 30th. In addition to regular filing fees, documents that are filed via email or fax will be charged at the rate of $1 per page, capped to a maximum of $20.

The Court has made minor amendments to clarify its Master Order #3, which sets out limitations on hearings and modified processes as a result of COVID-19.

To help contain the spread of COVID-19, the Alberta Court of Queen's Bench will extend its limitation of hearings to emergency and urgent matters only to May 31, 2020, and the adjournment of criminal jury trials and jury selections to September 8, 2020, per the Court’s Master Order #3 of April 21, 2020.

If you have questions about processes and procedures at the Court of Queen's Bench of Alberta in the wake of #COVID-19, please consult our FAQ webpage, posted today: https://www.albertacourts.ca/qb/court-operations-schedules/pandemic-operations/FAQ

The Court continues to hear emergency and urgent matters during the COVID-19 outbreak. A definition of which matters may be deemed to be emergency or urgent is reproduced here, in full, from Appendix B of the all-Courts' Notice to Profession and Public.

The Alberta Courts are attempting to balance the open court principle with public health priorities. The Courts are taking proactive preventative measures to protect justice system participants and reduce the spread of COVID-19.

All requests for an emergency or urgent hearing during the sitting suspension period should be submitted via the online Emergency/Urgent Hearing Request Form. All emergency/urgent hearings will be presided over by Justices or Applications Judges in the following locations, as set out in the Amended Master Order #2 of March 25, 2020.

The Court has made minor amendments to clarify its Master Order #2, which sets out limitations on hearings and modified processes as a result of COVID-19.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, some accommodation must be made for the commissioning of affidavits in circumstances where it is not possible or is medically unsafe for the deponent to physically attend before a commissioner. Examples might include deponents who are unable to leave their residences, are not permitted to receive visitors, or for those who are required to self-isolate or self-quarantine.

Effective March 24, 2020, law firms and lawyers with existing fax filing accounts or law firms and lawyers wishing to open a fax filing account are now permitted to file documents in their local judicial centre. This will help limit the number of people coming into courthouses throughout the province and allow lawyers to better manage remote working arrangements.

COVID-19, also known as the coronavirus, is having widespread effects. Given recent events, the Courts are striving to maintain core court operations while safeguarding public health and safety. Our actions have been, and will be, guided by the advice of public health authorities. In particular, Court operations have been significantly affected by the Premier of Alberta’s declaration on March 17th of a Public Health Emergency, by absenteeism due to self-isolation measures, child care issues and other circumstances and by the public’s need to ensure social distancing, avoid public gatherings and stay home where possible. In response, each Court has made public announcements regarding steps taken to address current challenges. That has included suspension of in-person hearings in certain circumstances. Certain cases have been, and will be, adjourned indefinitely or to a future date for hearing. Others will, until further notice, continue to be heard although on a much-reduced basis or in a different manner.

To help contain the spread of COVID-19, the Alberta Court of Queen's Bench will continue to limit hearings to emergency or urgent matters only. A list of emergency and urgent matters is set out in Appendix C to the Court’s Master Order #2 of March 20, 2020

A message from the Chief Justice of Canada, The Right Honourable Richard Wagner, C.P.

To help contain the spread of COVID-19, the Alberta Court of Queen's Bench is limiting hearings to emergency or urgent matters only.

To help contain the spread of COVID-19, the novel coronavirus, the Alberta Court of Queen's Bench is implementing social distancing measures in Chambers, Criminal Appearance/Arraignment Court and other Court proceedings with hearing lists.

To help contain the spread of COVID-19, the novel coronavirus, the Alberta Court of Queen's Bench is limiting Bar Admission ceremonies and implementing social distancing measures in Court proceedings. This directive is effective immediately:

To help contain the spread of COVID-19, the novel coronavirus, the Alberta Court of Queen's Bench is temporarily suspending all upcoming jury trials and jury selection. This suspension is effective immediately until May 31, 2020 or further notice from the Court; and applies to all jury trials and jury selections that have not yet commenced in Court.