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Pilot Criminal Pre-trial Counsel Project

Oct 3, 2018
Effective November 13, 2018, the Honorable Sandy Park , Q.C., retired QB justice, will take on the role of Queen’s Bench Criminal Pre-Trial Counsel on a half-time basis as part of a one-year pilot project. He will conduct pre-trial conferences for judge-alone criminal trials in Calgary (and in other Judicial Centres as required) pursuant to s. 625.1(1) of the Criminal Code. This one-year Pilot Project is part our Court's commitment to:
  • enhance the management of criminal trials;
  • maximize the utilization of judicial resources for trials and other matters requiring adjudication;
  • promote earlier resolution of criminal matters; and
  • fulfill our commitment under Jordan to take a leadership role in improving the efficiency of the criminal justice system in Alberta.

Pre-trial conferences for jury trials will continue to be heard by Queen’s Bench Justices pursuant to s. 625.1(2) of the Criminal Code.

Any orders or other Court dispositions arising from pre-trial conferences will be referred by the Criminal Pre-Trial Counsel to a Justice of the Court for completion.All other procedures pertaining to pre-trial conferences apply to those conferences held with the Criminal Pre-Trial Counsel. Initial pre-trial conferences will continue to be scheduled in Arraignment / Criminal Appearance Court through the Criminal Court Coordinator.
The Form CC7 Pre-Trial Conference Report is still required to be completed by both Crown and Defence counsel in advance of the pre-trial conference. A Report to Justice will still be furnished following the pre-trial conference.
 
The Court will be monitoring the effectiveness of this pilot project.