Effective October 1, 2025, a new hybrid hearing method will be available for all civil appeal hearings and applications. The new hybrid hearing method will not be available for criminal matters, appeal conferences, or judicial dispute resolution.
The application process for seeking a change in the hearing method has also been streamlined.
Description of Different Hearing Methods
- In-person – proceedings in which all parties, counsel, the clerk, and the judge(s) are physically in the courtroom.
- Virtual – proceedings in which all parties, counsel, the clerk, and the judge(s) connect through audio and visual using a platform such as Webex.
- Hybrid – proceedings in which some participants appear in-person and others participate virtually.
Standard Hearing Methods
The Court has directed the standard hearing methods be either in-person or virtual (see the April 20, 2022 Notice to the Profession and Public) as follows:
| Proceedings | Method |
| Appeal Hearings | In-person |
| Applications (three judge panels) | In-person |
| Single Judge Applications | Virtual |
| Appeal Conferences | Virtual |
| Judicial Dispute Resolution | Virtual |
Applying for an Alternate Hearing Method
Applications to change hearing methods from in-person to virtual hearings or virtual to in-person hearings are permitted for all types of proceedings.
Effective October 1, 2025, applications for hybrid hearings will be permitted for civil appeal hearings, three judge applications, and single judge applications. The new hybrid hearing method will not be available for criminal matters, appeal conferences, or judicial dispute resolution at this time.
How to Apply
Applications to change the standard hearing method, including a request for a hybrid hearing, are made to a judge or panel by completing the Application to Change Hearing Method form and submitting it to the appeal file in the Court of Appeal Management System (CAMS).
Timing
Applications for a change in hearing method can be made after a proceeding has been scheduled for hearing and no later than:
| Civil Proceedings | Timing in Advance of Scheduled Hearings |
| Appeal Hearings | 1 week |
| Applications (three judge panels) | 1 week |
| Single Judge Applications | at least 48 hours |
| Appeal Conferences | at least 48 hours |
| Judicial Dispute Resolution | at least 1 week |
Late requests will be considered in urgent circumstances.
Receiving the Decision
The Application to Change Hearing Method form will be endorsed to indicate whether the application has been granted or denied. Notification of the endorsement will be sent via email from CAMS
Questions and Technical Assistance
Questions can be directed to the applicable Registry as follows:
Calgary Registry – Calgary.Registry@albertacourts.ca or 403-297-2206
Edmonton Registry – Edmonton.Registry@albertacourts.ca or 780-422-2416
For technical assistance using CAMS, please submit a request to the CAMS Unit using the online form.
Ritu Khullar
Chief Justice of Alberta