There are two basic types of court proceedings in the Court of Queen's Bench: actions and applications. The General Rewrite Committee is of the view that the distinction between actions and applications should be retained. It favours having two ways to commence proceedings: one for actions and one for applications. It proposes to discard the archaic petition, and instead provide that in circumstances previously calling for the use of a petition, applications should be commenced [...]

Regarding the timeline for filing and serving an affidavit of records and the penalties for failing to comply with the rules in this regard, the Committee proposes that there be a specific onus on the party who failed to file the affidavit of records within the prescribed time to show why they should not incur a prescribed penalty. Regarding the appropriate scope of discovery of records the Committee proposes to keep the present test for [...]

In matters calling for special or expert knowledge, the court may not have sufficient knowledge to draw proper inferences from the evidence such that it may adjudicate on the matters in issue. Regarding independent medical examinations, the Committee was of the view that the procedures under Rule 217 function quite well and should be retained subject to certain issues and proposals. The specific issues addressed by the Committee regarding expert evidence were the timelines for [...]

This memorandum addresses issues concerning parties whose legal ability to conduct litigation can be problematic, including deceased persons without a personal representative, unincorporated entities, interveners, and persons under disability. The Committee found that for a deceased person without a personal representative, Rule 50 has ongoing usefulness, but proposes that further clarification be made to the general notice provision of Rule 384(1). Partnerships, sole proprietorships operating under a trade name, and other unincorporated associations were examined [...]

This memorandum addresses issues concerning the management of litigation in Alberta, including whether changes in the litigation system are necessary; time standards for completion of actions; and methods to increase the efficiency and accessibility of the justice system. The Committee recommends that changes to the operation of the litigation system in Alberta be considered in order to respond to problems of delay and excessive cost, with a view to creating a "made in Alberta" solution [...]

This memorandum addresses issues concerning the early resolution of disputes by settlement, including the use of court-annexed alternative dispute resolution programs and judicial dispute resolution. The Committee has developed five core premises, identified a number of issues, and framed preliminary proposals. The Committee recommends that the Rules should "impose on all litigants a positive, early and continuing obligation to canvass settlement possibilities and to consider opportunities available to them to participate in non-binding dispute resolution [...]

This memorandum deals with a number of matters, including commission evidence and de bene esse evidence; admissions; discovery issues arising from the use of Pierringer agreements; and innovative discovery procedures. Issues addressed are: when should evidence be taken out of Court; how should the order for commission evidence be obtained; how should the Rules address the procedures for taking commission evidence; should the commission evidence procedure apply to discovery evidence; should discovery transcripts be used in the [...]

This consultation memorandum addresses five topics concerning pleadings: fundamental principles; contents of pleadings; Rules applicable to defences; reply, joinder of issue and close of pleadings; and formalities of pleadings. Regarding fact pleading the Committee found that problems arising from them were due to poor practice and that there was no need to change to a notice pleading system. The Committee decided against having either the client or the lawyer certify the pleadings, but recommends that [...]

This memorandum covers a wide but inter-related range of subjects: amendment of pleadings; joinder of claims and consolidation of actions; joinder of parties; third party claims; counterclaims; and representative actions. It organizes discussion under 43 issues distilled from research, consultation and the experience and views of the General Rewrite Committee. With respect to amendments by one party, the Committee proposes: that, instead of the present limit of one, there be no limit on the number [...]

This memorandum addresses the procedural Rules governing motions and applications; the evidentiary Rules concerning motions and applications; the Rules governing variation, setting aside and correction of orders and judgments; and the Rules dealing with entry of orders and judgments. The Committee does not propose any changes to the materials to be filed for General Chambers or to the time limits that determine whether a motion is to be heard in General Chambers or Special Chambers. [...]