2025 Distinguished Service Awards Nominations are Open 

Jointly presented by the Canadian Bar Association – Alberta Branch (CBA Alberta) and the Law Society of Alberta, the Distinguished Service Awards (DSAs) celebrate the outstanding contributions of lawyers in our legal community, and are awarded in the categories of: 

• Service to the Profession 
• Service to the Community 
• Legal Scholarship 
• Pro Bono Legal Service 
• Service to Promoting Equity, Diversity & Inclusion in the Legal Profession 

Nominate a deserving colleague for a DSA. Nominations are due on Thursday, Oct. 31, 2024. For more information, download your nomination form or visit the CBA Alberta website. 

Court of King's Bench Announcements

Fall 2024 Swearing-In Ceremonies

The Court of King's Bench of Alberta is pleased to announce the fall 2024 swearing-in ceremonies for the newest Judicial Appointments:

• Justice Oliver Ho – Thursday, Sept. 5, 2024 at 4 p.m. at the Calgary Courts Centre, Courtroom 1801
• Justice Shane G. Parker – Friday, Sept. 20, 2024 at 4 p.m. at the Calgary Courts Centre, Courtroom 1801
• Justice Derek Jugnauth – Friday, Oct. 4, 2024 at 4 p.m. at the Calgary Courts Centre, Courtroom 1801
• Justice Maureen J. McGuire – Friday, Oct. 11, 2024 at 4 p.m. at the Edmonton Law Courts, Courtroom 317
• Justice Kelsey L. Becker Brookes – Friday, Oct. 18, 2024 at 4 p.m. at the Edmonton Law Courts, Courtroom 317

Family Docket Court – Fall 2024 Term

On April 5, 2024, the Court announced certain changes to the Family Docket Court for the Fall 2024 term.

The Court is reflecting on the input received in respect of the proposed changes and has decided to delay the implementation of any changes until at least January 2025. Family Docket Court will therefore remain in the Court’s 2024 fall schedule.

Parties and counsel are encouraged to monitor the Court’s website for further updates.

View the full announcement.

Pilot Project: Edmonton King's Bench Appearance Court – Fall 2024 Schedule

A significant number of matters that are being scheduled for King’s Bench Appearance Court (KBAC) in Edmonton can more efficiently be dealt with via the Court’s criminal appearance pre-booking process.

To achieve greater efficiency in KBAC and to encourage use of the pre-booking process, effective Sept. 3, 2024, the Court will reduce the number of KBAC sittings in Edmonton from weekly on Fridays to every second Friday. The first KBAC date in the fall term will be Friday, Sept. 6, 2024.

The Court will monitor this pilot project and an update will be issued before the spring 2025 term.

Counsel or parties who want to submit comments on this pilot project may do so via email at kbexternalfeedback@albertacourts.ca.

View the full announcement.

Reminder – Criminal Appearance Pre-Booking Process – Calgary

Members of the Criminal Bar in Calgary are reminded that the Court expects the criminal appearance pre-booking process to be resorted to as the default process except in those situations where it is not feasible to do so.

View the full announcement.

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