Rules: Promoting Early Resolution of Disputes by Settlement, Consultation Memorandum 12.6

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 […]

July 4, 2003

Rules: Discovery and Evidence Issues: Commission Evidence, Admissions, Pierringer Agreements and Innovative Procedures, Consultation Memorandum 12.7

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 […]

Limitations Act – Adverse Possession and Lasting Improvements, Final Report 89

This report considers the effect of the Limitations Act on the areas of adverse possession and lasting improvements under the Law of Property Act. In considering how best to resolve disputes regarding the ownership and use of land, this report looks to the objectives of protecting future ownership of land, ensuring land’s transferability, and preventing the revival of stale claims. Recommendations to avoid the effect of claims being postponed by a continuing course of conduct include to subject […]

May 29, 2003

Rules: Management of Litigation, Consultation Memorandum 12.5

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 […]

March 4, 2003

Rules: Parties, Consultation 12.4

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 […]

Rules: Expert Evidence and “Independent” Medical Examinations, Consultation Memorandum 12.3

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 […]

February 4, 2003

Enduring Powers of Attorney: Safeguards Against Abuse, Final Report 88

The Powers of Attorney Act allows a donor of a power of attorney to provide either that the power of attorney will come into effect on the donor’s mental incapacity or infirmity or that the power of attorney will continue in force despite the donors supervening mental incapacity or infirmity. It classifies both springing and continuing powers of attorney as “enduring” powers of attorney (EPA). The great majority of attorneys exercise their control for the donor’s benefit, […]

February 1, 2003

Report on a Succession Consolidation Statute-Alberta Statutory Provisions, Final Report 87 Appendix A

We have also taken the information contained in Appendix A and organized it in an alternative format according to broad subject area. For those who might be interested, the document is found here.

December 29, 2002

Report on a Succession Consolidation Statute, Final Report 87

This report advocates the consolidation of Alberta’s core succession statutes into one Act. A single piece of consolidated legislation covering all the essentials of statutory succession law would be a convenient reference tool for use by both practitioners and the public. The consolidated legislation will promote accessibility and ease of use of our statutory succession law. This report contains detailed research that identifies all succession-related statutes and statutory provisions and identifies Alberta legislation that is […]

Rules: Document Discovery and Examination for Discovery, Consultation Memorandum 12.2

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 […]

October 4, 2002