ATHABASCA — The Provincial Court of Alberta has extended restrictions in response to the Omicron variant to limit in-person matters to urgent or “where there is compelling reason to proceed.”
In a Feb. 3 media release noted the extension will impact all out-of-custody trials, preliminary inquiries, and all other hearings requiring oral evidence until at least Feb. 18.
“There will however be no presumptive adjournments. Counsel will obtain new dates remotely,” the release read.
All docket applications and pre-trials will be virtual as will docket appearances in circuit courts such as those in Athabasca, Barrhead, Boyle and Westlock.
“There will be no in-person attendance.”
As well, all case management offices will remain closed and if you need to attend court you are advised to call Legal Aid Alberta at 1-866-845-3425 up to 14 days before your court appearance to request assistance from a duty counsel lawyer and by 11 a.m. on the day of court to check in so duty counsel can report you are present.
“All matters other than trials that are presently scheduled to be heard by telephone or WebEx will proceed as schedule,” the release went on to say.
All civil trials and youth docket matters are also adjourned, and all traffic courts will not be open for in-person appearances, but some virtual trials scheduled in Southern Alberta will proceed.
Non-urgent family matters are adjourned but judicial dispute resolutions (JDRs) and pre-trial conferences will be handled remotely. Urgent hearings will occur if there is a risk of immediate harm to the parties or children or risk of the child or children being taken out of the province.
“The protocol for Emergency Protection orders, Mental Health Act warrants, Protection of Children Abusing Drugs Act applications, Secure Services applications and Protection of Sexually Exploited Children Act applications remain unchanged.”
