Alberta Court of Queen’s Bench launches summary disposition court

By Ian Burns

Law360 Canada (May 6, 2020, 4:07 PM EDT) -- The Alberta Court of Queen’s Bench announced that it is now hearing summary dispositions via Webex in cases where all parties agree to proceed in this manner. Requests for a summary disposition hearing must be made by completing the summary disposition hearing request form online.

According to a press release, the court says it is continuing to follow the Hub model for these hearings — parties are asked to ensure the correct Hub for the judicial centre the file is located in is selected. The justice will appear remotely from the Hub location but the file will remain in its original jurisdiction and it will be clerked there.

Judicial Hubs of Calgary and Edmonton
  • Edmonton Hub includes St. Paul, Hinton, Peace River and Fort McMurray
  • Calgary Hub includes Drumheller and Grande Prairie

The schedule for the Edmonton and Calgary Hub is posted online. Hearings can be requested for a half-hour, one hour of half-day on Mondays and Wednesdays (subject to change). For longer hearings, submit the form for the requested justice but without dates to the appropriate court co-ordinator who will provide available times.

Judicial Hubs of Red Deer and Lethbridge
  • Red Deer Hub includes Wetaskiwin
  • Lethbridge Hub includes Medicine Hat

Hearings for the Red Deer and Lethbridge Hubs will be scheduled during existing duty weeks. Complete the form online, including duration of the hearing, and parties will be contacted with availability.

Once the matter has been scheduled, the court will send a scheduling confirmation. This will include information regarding providing any materials to the court such as scheduling submissions and documents to be marked as exhibits at the hearing. Webex information will be provided closer to the hearing.