March 13, 2025

March is Fraud Prevention Month, and legal practice remains a prime target for fraudsters looking for personal information and funds from unwitting targets. When lawyers and firms become victims of fraud or theft, it affects the reputation of the legal profession and may impact their ability to attract and retain clients. 

Lawyers are often busy with their legal practice and may be less focused on the business's administrative aspects. This can make them vulnerable to sophisticated scams, such as the recent social engineering frauds targeting real estate transactions.  

Read the full article for more information on recent real estate scams and how you can better protect yourself and your clients against them.

Court of Appeal Notices to the Profession and Public

Electronic Scheduling in the Court of Appeal Management System

On March 12, 2025, the Court of Appeal launched an electronic scheduling portal for the Court of Appeal Management System (CAMS).

This new eScheduling feature applies to appeals and applications. Effective March 12, 2025, CAMS account users can view available dates and request them online. Receipt of a request will be immediately acknowledged. Once approved, formal email confirmation of the date will follow.

This booking method replaces the previous process of contacting the Registry or Case Management Officer by email or phone for the above matters.

View the full notice.

Consolidated Practice Directions of the Court of Appeal Amendment

The Consolidated Practice Directions of the Court of Appeal of Alberta have been amended as follows:

Delete Part A.3(b) and replace it with the following:

(b) Application dates can be requested online via CAMS. Parties without a CAMS account can request an application date by contacting the applicable Registry. Once an application date is confirmed, the applicant must file the application, memorandum of argument and any other supporting materials at least 10 days before the application is scheduled to be heard (in the case of an application to be heard by a single appeal judge) and at least 20 days before the application is scheduled to be heard (in the case of an application to be heard by a panel of the Court) failing which the application date will be cancelled.

View the full notice.

The notice will automatically expire two years after the date that it was issued.

Court of King's Bench Family Town Hall Meeting

Alberta lawyers practising in family law are invited to attend an online meeting with the Chief Justice and Justices of the Court of King’s Bench.

Date and time:

Tuesday, March 18, 2025 12:30 p.m. MST

Join link:

https://albertacourts.webex.com/albertacourts/j.php?MTID=m9749808c0dc75647fd49457a2655c2e2

Webinar number:

2770 859 6475

Webinar password: 

FAMILYMAR18 (32645962 when dialing from a phone or video system)

Join by phone:

+1.780.851.3573 Canada Toll / Access code: 277 085 96475

Court of King's Bench Announcement

Reminder – Setting Civil Trial Dates by Order – Pilot Project

Counsel and parties are reminded that the Court has initiated a pilot project to move non-family civil actions through the court system more expeditiously. Under this pilot project, parties may obtain trial dates earlier than contemplated by the certifications required in Rule 8.4(3) of the Alberta Rules of Court when certain conditions are satisfied. The Court’s new practice facilitates setting trial dates earlier in the process, provided that the parties complete pre-trial steps by deadlines to ensure they are ready by the scheduled date. 

View the full announcement.

Reminder: Alberta Law Libraries Webinar – Unlock the Secrets of Legal Research: Expert Tips and Hidden Gems

Join Alberta Law Libraries on Wednesday, March 19 at noon for an exciting new webinar designed for lawyers at all stages of their professional journey. Discover some of the most useful and effective tools that you may not have encountered yet. This is your chance to elevate your research skills and gain valuable insights.

Register now to Unlock the Secrets of Legal Research. All registrants will receive access to the recording after the session.

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