Alberta Provincial Court postpones proceedings as COVID-19 cases rise
CTV
The Provincial Court of Alberta is postponing certain proceedings in response to increasing COVID-19 cases.
The Provincial Court of Alberta is postponing certain proceedings in response to increasing COVID-19 cases.
In a COVID-19 update posted on New Year's Day, the provincial court said it would adjourn all adult and youth criminal non-urgent out of custody trials, preliminary inquires, and other hearings requiring oral or in-person evidence between Jan. 4 to 21.
All other adult criminal proceedings, including pre-trials and docket applications, will be completed virtually.
The provincial court said that counsel could obtain new dates remotely, and self-representing individuals can contact the case management office.
All in-person civil proceedings from Jan. 4 to 21, including trials, pretrials, and applications, will be postponed as well. Authorities will reach out directly to affected individuals.
Family docket appearances will proceed remotely, and any non-urgent interim hearings and trials will be adjourned.
The court says urgent interim hearings and trials will proceed in-person only if there is a risk of immediate harm to children or others, children being removed from Alberta, severe financial hardship requiring a support order, or the hearing had previously been adjourned due to COVID-19 measures.
