News and Announcements

Effective March 15, 2021, the Court of Appeal of Alberta Practice Direction on Electronic Filling is amended. Details of the amendments are included in this notice.

On March 1 2021, e-filing will become mandatory. Effective that date, all documents, including correspondence, must be formatted in accordance with the Practice Direction on Electronic Filing and filed via the Court of Appeal Management System (CAMS). Unless an exemption from e-filing is granted, paper documents at the counter and documents via email will not be accepted.

Effective December 14, 2020, amendments were made to Part 16 of the Alberta Rules of Court, the Court of Appeal of Alberta Criminal Appeal Rules, including a new Release Order relating to judicial interim release pending appeal.

The decision to hold oral arguments electronically during the pandemic has highlighted a challenge during submissions when counsel and self-represented litigants refer the panel to materials in the record before the Court. As a result, commencing February 1, 2021, parties will have the option of filing a Condensed Book as an aid to assist in oral argument in both civil and criminal appeals.

The 2021 Court of Appeal sitting dates have been revised. Details and the new list of dates are included in this notice.

The Alberta Courts are attempting to balance the open court principle with public health priorities. Given the ongoing public health crisis, the Courts are continuing to take proactive preventative measures to protect justice system participants and reduce the spread of COVID-19. Access to all courthouses in the province of Alberta continues to be restricted until further notice.

The purpose of this Notice is to advise that, unless otherwise directed, all proceedings will continue to be heard electronically by videoconference until further notice.

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.