Urgent Application Process

Effective Province-Wide, March 9, 2026

Definition of Urgent Matters

Emergency matters, in which serious consequences to persons or harm to property may arise if the hearing does not proceed, or if there is a risk of loss or jurisdiction or expiration of an existing protection or restraining order, including, but not limited to:

  1. Family Matters:

    Where there is a risk of violence or immediate harm to one of the parties or a child;
    Where there is a risk of removal of a child from the jurisdiction;
    Matters regarding parenting time, contact or communication with a child (that cannot reasonably be delayed)

  2. Civil Matters:

    Injunctions, where there is prima facie urgency, including refusal of treatment/end of life matters;
    Civil Restraining Orders;
    Preservation Orders;
    Urgent Orders in the nature of habeas corpus; certiorari; mandamus and prohibition.

  3. Commercial Matters
    (Please note: All urgent matters related to commercial should be directed to the Commercial Court Coordinator):

    Time-sensitive commercial matters where there are immediate and significant financial consequences which may result if there is no judicial hearing;
    Anton-Piller or Mareva-type injunctions;
    Freezing Orders.

  4. Surrogate Matters:

    Emergency Adult Guardianship and Trusteeship Orders, where there is a risk of harm to an individual or their property.

Assistance with Forms

If you are a self-represented litigant and require assistance with forms or documents, please contact Resolution Services for support prior to making your request: https://www.alberta.ca/contact-court-and-justice-services.

Urgent Matters Application Process 

NOTE: If you are making an Urgent request related to a Family or Divorce matter that meets the above Urgent criteria list above, and you have an MIT Justice assigned, in place of an application and affidavit, you are required to send a Request for Case Conference form along with the Urgent Request form. All other instructions below must be complied with. 

Pre-Conditions for an Urgent Application: Commencement of an Action


An Action must be commenced before any party can seek Urgent relief. An Action may be commenced by:

  • Statement of Claim (versions available here);
  • Family Law Claim (FL-10), which may be filed with a date to be determined (“TBD date”) and Supporting Statement (versions of FL-10 available here); or
  • Originating Application.

Without Notice

Parties seeking Urgent relief by way of an Urgent Request must file or show proof of:

  • Filed Commencement Document or Commencement Document being submitted for filing, and/or;
  • Your documentation must include an application and supporting materials to be filed. The application in support of your Urgent Request is to be marked with a “TBD” court date. Failing to do so may result in rejection of your request.

With Notice

Parties seeking Urgent relief by way of an Urgent Request must file or show proof of:

  • Filed Commencement Document or Commencement Document being submitted for filing, and/or;
  • Your documentation must include an application and supporting materials to be filed. The application in support of your Urgent Request is to be marked with a “TBD” court date. Failing to do so may result in rejection of your request.
  • All with notice Urgent Requests must be copied to the opposing parties. Failure to do so may result in the rejection of your request.

**Please note where fees are applicable, they are required to be paid at the time of submission. Information about Court Fees can be found here: https://www.alberta.ca/court-fees. Please note court fees will not be refunded if your application is denied.

Urgent Chambers Application Process

  1. Fill out the URGENT REQUEST form.
  2. Include your commencing document, materials to be filed in support of your Urgent Request, along with the Urgent Request form.
  3. Email your documentation and the URGENT REQUEST form to:

    CALGARY, RED DEER AND SOUTH LOCATIONS
    Urgent Requests with Notice / Without Notice:
    NoReply.QBUrgentRequestCalgary@just.gov.ab.ca

    EDMONTON AND NORTH LOCATIONS, INCLUDING WETASKIWIN
    Urgent Requests with Notice / Without Notice:
    NoReply.QBUrgentRequestEdmonton@just.gov.ab.ca

  4. All email filing procedures must be followed and any material sent in support of your Urgent Request must be labeled as:

    EMERGENCY - (DATE SUBMITTED) - FILE NUMBER (STYLE OF CAUSE IF ORIGINATING) - LOCATION

  5. Once the Court has had an opportunity to consider your Urgent Request, you will be emailed instructions for next steps. You must comply with all directions, or your matter may not proceed.
    It is the obligation of the applicant to serve the respondent with the Urgent Decision form, should one be provided. Service will not be effected by the Court or court operations.

The turn around time is 24-48 business hours for processing.

For any matter that does not require an urgent response, as defined as "within 48 hours", please use the regular filing procedure outlined here: Email Filing Procedures & Naming Conventions 

Instructions for Urgent Request Form

Failure to fully complete the URGENT REQUEST form and attach the required material(s) may result in a rejection of your request or delay in response.

You MUST have the required material(s) prepared when you submit this form.

Subject line: EMERGENCY - (DATE SUBMITTED) - FILE NUMBER (STYLE OF CAUSE IF ORIGINATING) - LOCATION

With Notice

Requests MUST be copied to all parties to the action. Failure to do so may result in the rejection of your request. After your matter has been considered, you will be emailed instructions for next steps.

Without Notice

If your matter is directed to be heard Without Notice, you will rely upon the material filed in support of your urgent request. For information on how to submit your materials, please see here [LINK]. After your matter has been considered, you will be emailed instructions for next steps.

Fiats

If you are seeking a fiat, or exemption, you must notify the opposing party/parties.

Uncontested Fiats

For uncontested Fiat under Justice jurisdiction, please proceed with a Justice Desk Application and follow the naming convention here. (See: Desk Applications: Emergency With/Without Notice - Civil/Family OR Orders: Emergency Consent Order - Civil/Family.)

Applications Judges Matters

For matters under Applications Judge jurisdiction, please refer to the email filing procedures here. (See: Desk Applications: Emergency With/Without Notice - Civil OR Orders: Emergency Consent Order - Civil.)