This memorandum seeks comments on a large number of issues arising in connection with "party and party costs" -- which are the amounts that one party to litigation must pay to the other party for expenses incurred by the latter in the course of the litigation. It explores the principles on which costs should be awarded and how the amounts awarded should be determined, as well as the associated topics of security for costs, fees [...]
This memorandum raises questions about the operation of The Rules in cases involving self-represented litigants. The Committee's position is that the same procedural requirements should apply to all persons who turn to the civil justice system for the resolution of legal issued. Self-represented litigants must understand that they are responsible for performing the tasks and carrying out the functions ordinarily required of professionally trained lawyers. Self-represented litigants will benefit from some of the Rules changes [...]
This memorandum addresses procedures for Charter applications in criminal cases tried in the Court of Queen's Bench of Alberta. The Committee addressed some background issues bearing on the development of Rules of Court for Charter application procedures, including the need for Rules to follow established legal principles, to provide for "fair notice" of applications, and to preserve judicial discretion. Charter applications outside of the Court of Queen's Bench of Alberta are also reviewed. The current state of Charter application regulation in the Court [...]
This memorandum addresses procedures in challenges for cause in criminal jury trials in the Court of Queen's Bench of Alberta. It provides background of the process to jury selection in criminal cases. Accuseds have both statutory and constitutional rights to jury trials. Both the Crown and the accused are entitled to trials before fair and impartial jury members. The Criminal Code has established a number of procedures, including challenges for cause on the grounds that [...]
This memorandum addresses issues relating to civil appeals. It outlines a set of working principles that guide the policy decisions behind several proposals. It reviews the many sources of procedural provisions that govern appeals. It identifies factors that contribute to delay in the early stages of an appeal and makes proposals for reducing this delay, simplifying procedure, and reducing the need for court intervention to ensure the timely progress of an appeal. It addresses the [...]
The objective of Consultation Memorandum 12.22 is to facilitate development of a criminal appeal system that is clear, simple, accessible, effective and timely. To this end, a single process, with adaptations as necessary, is proposed for conducting criminal appeals before both the Court of Queen's Bench and the Court of Appeal. Issues and proposals related to each part of the core process and procedures for obtaining court assistance are described.
This report examines the provisions of the Statue of Frauds and the Guarantees Acknowledgment Act, an Alberta statute. Where the provisions of these Acts are still useful, the report recommends that it be retained and reformed, where they are not useful that they be abolished. The Statue of Frauds was enacted by the English Parliament in 1677 to prevent false claims being accepted by the courts by requiring that a number of kinds of contracts and dispositions of interest in [...]
The Fatal Accidents Act (at the time of this report's publication) governed the right of surviving family members to recover non-pecuniary damages such as the loss of guidance, companionship, and care of a family member from someone who wrongfully causes their relative's death. Section 8 of the Act provided that in the event of the loss of a family member, the following awards will be paid: $3000 to be split by the deceased's parents; $3000 for the [...]
This report is to identify and to analyze the policy considerations upon which a limitations system should be based and to derive from that analysis a limitations system which will be as fair and as easily comprehensible as the subject matter permits. This report recommends that Alberta enact a completely new limitations statute, based on recommendations in this report the new Alberta Act will be fairer for all persons and simpler and more comprehensible. A draft Limitations Act is [...]
Existing legislation that governs the procedures of adjudicative tribunals in Alberta - the Alberta Administrative Procedures Act - is seriously deficient. It has not kept up to date with new case law, nor does it even apply to a majority of Alberta's adjudicative tribunals. The ALRI suggests replacing this legislation with the Administrative Powers and Procedures Act. It would apply to all tribunals and because of the diverse range of tribunal functions and resources, include "opt-in" legislation. This [...]
