COVID-19 and the courts: March 23 update

Courts across Canada are taking extraordinary measures to control the spread of the new coronavirus COVID-19. Below is a roundup of new actions courts are taking across the country.

Federal Court
Update: Practice Direction and Order (COVID-19) with FAQ
The court has prepared answers to frequently asked and anticipated questions.

British Columbia
Provincial Court of British Columbia
Notice to the Public Regarding Affidavits for Use in Civil and Family Proceedings
The court will make accommodations for the commissioning of affidavits in circumstances where it is not possible or is medically unsafe for the deponent to attend before a commissioner. }
Supreme Court of British Columbia
Notice to the Profession, the Public and the Media Re: Affidavits for Use in Civil and Family Proceedings
The court will make accommodations for the commissioning of affidavits in circumstances where it is not possible or is medically unsafe for the deponent to attend before a commissioner.
Courthouse Closures ⁠— Updated
The Chilliwack Law Courts and the Nanaimo Law Courts will reopen on Mar. 23. The Campbell River Law Courts will remain closed until Apr. 6.
Supreme Court of British Columbia — Further Directions|
These directions clarify processes for jury trials and for filing and serving documents in civil and family matters that are not urgent.
Court of Appeal for British Columbia
Notice to the Public Regarding Affidavits for Use in Civil and Family Proceedings
The court will make accommodations for the commissioning of affidavits in circumstances where it is not possible or is medically unsafe for the deponent to attend before a commissioner.

Alberta
Provincial Court of Alberta
Closure of the Edmonton Law Courts West Entrance
Effective Mar. 23 and until further notice, the Edmonton Law Courts West Entrance will be temporarily closed. The East Entrance on 97 Street and the Pedway Entrance will both remain open.
Court of Queen’s Bench of Alberta
COVID-19: Extension of Suspension of Sittings
The court will continue to limit hearings to emergency or urgent matters only. Between Mar. 16 and May 1, the court will make no new bookings in any non-emergency or non-urgent matter.
Closure of the Edmonton Law Courts West Entrance
Effective Mar. 23 and until further notice, the Edmonton Law Courts West Entrance will be temporarily closed. The East Entrance on 97 Street and the Pedway Entrance will both remain open.
Court of Appeal of Alberta
Closure of the Edmonton Law Courts West Entrance
Effective Mar. 23 and until further notice, the Edmonton Law Courts West Entrance will be temporarily closed. The East Entrance on 97 Street and the Pedway Entrance will both remain open.

Saskatchewan
Provincial Court of Saskatchewan
Notice to Court Users and the Public
The court is reducing operations, while maintaining meaningful access for those with urgent matters.
Court Appeal for Saskatchewan
Notice to the Profession and the Public Concerning COVID-19
Effective Mar. 23, all matters before a panel of three judges, such as appeals or applications, will be heard either by teleconference or by videoconference.

Ontario
Ontario Court of Justice
COVID-19 Pandemic Planning — Scheduling of Criminal Matters in the Ontario Court of Justice
COVID-19 Pandemic Planning — Scheduling of Family Matters in the Ontario Court of Justice
The scheduling of criminal matters and of family matters in the court has been revised as of Mar. 20.
Court of Appeal for Ontario
Effective Mar. 23 and until further notice, public counter services will be closed. All filings can either be mailed, emailed to [email protected] or dropped off outside the intake office.

Quebec
Service Continuity Plan for the Court of Quebec with regard to COVID-19
The above service continuity plan covers the period from Mar. 20 to Apr. 3, inclusively.

Nova Scotia
Provincial Court of Nova Scotia
COVID-19: More Time to Pay Fines, Default Convictions Suspended
Effective immediately, Nova Scotians will have more time to pay their fines for summary offence convictions, and no one will be automatically convicted for not dealing with their outstanding parking or driving offences.

Prince Edward Island
Provincial Court of Prince Edward Island
COVID-19 Changes to Provincial Processes
The court is significantly reducing operations while ensuring meaningful access for those with urgent matters.
Supreme Court of Prince Edward Island
Notice Re: Sheriff’s Writ Enforcement
Sheriff’s Services is advising anyone required to make a payment to contact the sheriff’s office top ay via credit card, cheque or direct deposit, instead of attending in person.
Memo to Law Society
The memo pertains to matters such as the filing of documents and affidavits, requesting copies of documents, accessing interoffice mail and using the law library after hours.
Practice Note 46
Effective Mar. 20 and until further notice, documents may be filed by email or by facsimile.
Prince Edward Island Court of Appeal
Memo to Law Society
The memo pertains to matters such as the filing of documents and affidavits, requesting copies of documents, accessing interoffice mail and using the law library after hours.
Practice Note 46
Effective Mar. 20 and until further notice, documents may be filed by email or by facsimile.

Newfoundland and Labrador
Provincial Court of Newfoundland and Labrador
COVID-19 Court Scheduling
The scheduling of the court for the period of Mar. 16 to May 22, inclusive, has been revised as of Mar. 22.
Supreme Court of Newfoundland and Labrador
Notice to the Profession and General Public ⁠— COVID-19: Preventative Measures
Pursuant to the court’s Mar. 18 notice, the court has suspended normal operations, with applications limited to urgent and emergency matters only. If an accused is not in custody and has an appearance scheduled in the court after Mar. 18, the court will adjourn the matter without the accused being present using a court order called a bench warrant with discretion. The accused will be required to attend court on a later date.

Northwest Territories
Territorial Court of the Northwest Territories
Changes to Territorial Court and Justice of the Peace Court Sittings due to COVID-19
These changes have been revised as of Mar. 19.