New Alberta Rules of Court: A Client’s Perspective

Procedure

On November 1, 2010, the new Alberta Rules of Court are scheduled to come into force, repealing the current Rules of Court. The New Rules represent a dramatic change to the procedural landscape of litigation in Alberta, and everything from timelines to case management has undergone significant and material change.

The main objective of the New Rules is to provide a timely and cost-effective court process for litigants. In order to achieve this objective, the New Rules begin with a foundational rule that is the basis for how the rules are to be interpreted and applied. Specifically, the New Rules are intended to be used: (1) to identify the real issues in dispute; (2) to facilitate the fastest means of resolving a claim at the least expense; (3) to encourage parties to resolve the claim themselves at an early stage in the proceedings; (4) to oblige the parties to communicate in an honest, open and timely way; and (5) to provide effective, efficient