Archived Announcements

Further to the March 16, 2022 – Notice to the Profession and Public, 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.

The purpose of this Notice is to:

1. confirm which matters will proceed in person and which matters will continue to proceed electronically (also referred to as “virtually”); and
2. describe where to find information about procedural requirements and COVID-19 safety protocols for in-person hearings.
   

How Matters Will Proceed

Appeals and Applications Before Three-Judge Panels

Effective May 2, 2022, all appeal sittings and applications before three-judge panels will be conducted in person.

Single Appeal Judge Matters

Appeal Conferences, Judicial Dispute Resolution matters and single judge matters will continue to be heard virtually until further notice.

Parties wishing to book a JDR may do so by contacting the relevant Case Management Officer.

Bar Admission Ceremonies

Effective May 2, 2022, Bar Admission ceremonies will be conducted either in person subject to courtroom capacity limits or virtually.

For questions about booking a Bar Admission ceremony, please contact the relevant Registry as follows:

• Calgary matters: Fax: 403-297-5294 or Calgary.Registry@albertacourts.ca
• Edmonton matters: Fax: 780-422-4127 or Edmonton.Registry@albertacourts.ca
  

Procedural Requirements and Best Practices for In-Person and Electronic Hearings and Other Matters

The Court of Appeal Procedure Guide for In-Person and Electronic Hearings and Other Matters can be found on the website HERE. The purpose of the Guide is to:

1. provide information about procedural requirements and best practices for in-person hearings;
2. provide information about procedural requirements and best practices for electronic hearings;
3. confirm procedures for bail check-ins, electronic filing, online payment of filing fees, condensed books and the remote commissioning of affidavits; and
4. confirm the COVID-19 health and safety protocols in place including those for in-person hearings.
   

This Notice Replaces the Following Notices:

• March 16, 2020 – Notice – COVID-19 – Emergency Court Protocol Information Regarding COVID-19
• March 23, 2020 – Notice to the Profession and Public - Covid-19 - Update on Affected Court Operations
• March 23, 2020 – Notice to the Profession - Covid-19 - Alberta Courts' Pandemic Responses
• April 8, 2020 – Notice - COVID-19 - Electronic Hearing Procedural Information
• July 6, 2020 – Notice to the Profession and Public - COVID-19 - Update on Appellate Judicial Dispute Resolution and Bar Admissions
• July 6, 2020 – Notice to the Profession and Public - COVID-19 - Electronic Hearings Update - Attendance and Resource Reminders
• July 6, 2020 – Notice to the Profession and Public - COVID-19 - New Procedure for Electronic Hearings – Confidentiality or Privacy Concerns
• August 27, 2020 – Notice to the Profession and Public - COVID-19 - Electronic Hearings Update
• October 27, 2020 – Notice to the Profession and Public - COVID-19 - Electronic Hearings Update
• July 21, 2021 – Notice to the Profession and Public – Covid-19 – Return to In-Person Hearings
• October 19, 2021 – Notice to the Profession and Public – Covid-19 – Electronic Hearings Extended to January 1, 2022
  
• December 17, 2021 – Notice to the Profession and Public – Covid-19 – Electronic Hearings Extended to February 25, 2022
• February 10, 2022 – Notice to the Profession and Public – Covid-19 – Electronic Hearings Extended to March 25, 2022

 

Catherine A. Fraser
Chief Justice of Alberta