New King’s Bench Practice Directives

June 25, 2023 – Filing of Application or Motion for a Publication Ban or Sealing Order – “Counsel must identify in their pre-trial, triage or case conference briefs whether a publication ban, sealing order or in-camera hearing will be sought and how the media will be advised of such an application.”

June 25, 2023 – Cases involving Statutory Interpretation – “In order to ensure that proper consideration is given to both the French and English versions of legislation where a case involves an issue of statutory interpretation, counsel or a self-represented litigant are to address in their related submissions whether there is discrepancy between the English and French versions. If there is discrepancy, this discrepancy is to be addressed in the submissions regarding the proper interpretation of the statutory provision(s) at issue in accordance with the approach outlined in 5185603 Manitoba Ltd et al v Government of Manitoba et al.”

June 25, 2023 – Tracking of Related Files – “In order to ensure that the judge hearing a matter is aware of related proceedings, counsel must provide information as to any related proceedings in their pre-trial, triage or case conference briefs.
When filing a motion or application in a matter where there is a related proceeding, counsel must file a requisition asking that the related file be provided to the judge along with the file in which the motion or application is brought.”

June 25, 2023 – Use of Artificial Intelligence in Court Submissions – “…there are legitimate concerns about the reliability and accuracy of the information generated from the use of artificial intelligence. To address these concerns, when artificial intelligence has been used in the preparation of materials filed with the court, the materials must indicate how artificial intelligence was used.”


All King’s Bench Practice Directives and Notices can be found here.

New King’s Bench Notices

Practice Directions

March 16, 2023 – Estreatals involving in-Custody accuseds – Thompson and The Pas Judicial Centres

The Court’s Practice Direction of March 5, 2020, regarding detention review
hearings under sections 520 and 525 of the Criminal Code in Thompson and
The Pas Judicial Centres will apply with necessary changes to estreatals in these
Judicial Centres when an accused who is in-custody is required to attend.

Notices

March 16, 2023 – Notice – Protocol on Articling Students appearing in the Court of King’s Bench 

The following protocol applies as to when a law student or articling student will be permitted to appear and handle cases in the Court of King’s Bench: In any case when a law student or articling student is appearing, they must clearly identify themselves to the presiding judge as a law student or articling student …

March 16, 2023 – Notice – Small Claim Virtual Hearings

During the pandemic, virtual hearing options were introduced for Small Claims matters heard by Court Officers. The use of these virtual hearing options has improved access to justice by reducing costs, complexity and time to disposition. Given this favourable experience and in light of the summary nature of small claims, virtual hearings will continue as follows: …

New King’s Bench Practice Direction

October 26, 2022 – Civil Uncontested List Telephone Appearances by MB Counsel outside of Winnipeg

” As part of the Court of King’s Bench of Manitoba’s continuing commitment to principles of access to justice, which include reducing regional barriers to accessing the courts, the Court will now offer to Manitoba counsel practicing outside the City of Winnipeg, the option of appearing by telephone on the Civil Uncontested List in the Winnipeg Judicial Centre.”

Conditions and more information are available in the full notice.

For all King’s Bench Notices and Practice Directions see the Manitoba Courts Website.

The library will be closed on Good Friday, March 29.
The courthouse will be closed on Monday, April 1 but the library will be open for remote requests.