Suspension of upcoming jury trials

The Court of Queen's Bench of Alberta has announced it is temporarily suspending all upcoming jury trials and jury selection to help contain the spread of COVID-19.

 

"This suspension is effective immediately until May 31 or until further notice from the Court. This applies to all jury trials and jury selections that have not yet commenced in Court," reads an announcement posted on the Alberta Courts website March 13.

 

"Yesterday, the Alberta Chief Medical Officer of Health recommended public gatherings of 250 people be cancelled and any event with more than 50 attendees that involves critical infrastructure staff, seniors or other high-risk populations. Other provinces are also suspending jury trials and jury selection, including provinces with fewer confirmed cases of the novel coronavirus. The suspension of jury trials and jury selection enables all Albertans to take effective social distancing measures."

"Members of the public who have received a jury summons requiring them to come to Court for jury selection between today and May 31, 2020 and who are not presently sitting on a case, are released from that summons. Jurors presently participating in a jury trial, are required to report to Court as usual. Any Counsel or juror exhibiting signs of fever, cough or flu-like symptoms should contact the Court immediately to seek further instructions from the judge presiding over their case."

Additional information regarding jury selection is available by calling the Resolution and Court Administration Services Contact Centre at 1.855.738.4747.

Anyone attending court or visiting a courthouse in the province is encouraged to practice social distancing and hand washing/touching hygiene, following the tips available at: https://www.alberta.ca/coronavirus-info-for-albertans.

"In all other matters, Alberta courts are operating as usual at this time," according to Solicitor General spokesperson Lisa Glover