As announced on May 22, 2020, the Court, in July and August 2020, will be hearing some short, judge alone Criminal trials via WebEx video and in-person, in COVID-safe courtrooms.
Steps have been taken to protect the health of all individuals required to attend courthouses throughout the Province. Plexiglass is being installed in some Queen’s Bench courtrooms in Edmonton, Calgary, Red Deer and Lethbridge, and in our Regional Centres. In consultation with the Courts, Resolution and Court Administration Services has developed guidelines in respect of screening for COVID19 at courthouse entrances, social distancing within courthouses and cleaning and sanitation requirements of courthouses. The Court of Queen’s Bench, jointly with the Court of Appeal of Alberta and the Provincial Court of Alberta, has mandated the wearing of masks in courthouses throughout the Province. See the announcement here.
While the Announcement of May 22, 2020 related to slots being made available for short (5 days or less) judge alone Criminal trials, in the event the available trial slots are not filled, the Court will offer these slots to Summary Conviction Appeals for Criminal Code offences, short Family, Civil and Commercial trials or other Family, Civil and Commercial matters via Webex video and in-person, in COVID-safe courtrooms. Priority will be given to Summary Conviction Appeals, Family, Civil and Commercial trials and matters scheduled to be heard between March 16 and June 26, 2020, and adjourned pursuant to the Court’s Master Orders due to the pandemic.
To request a short Criminal trial or Summary Conviction Appeal slot in July or August, Counsel must complete the Criminal Trial Triage Form in full. The Form is available here. Please allow three to four business days to receive a response from the Court.
To request a short Family, Civil or Commercial trial slot, or to request the hearing of a Family, Civil or Commercial matter other than a trial, in July or August, Counsel must complete the Family, Civil and Commercial Triage Form in full. The form is available here. Please allow three to four business days to receive a response from the Court.