News and views from the Manitoba Law Library Inc., Law Society of Manitoba
March 3, 2021 – Family Division – Scheduling of Notices of Application before the Master
“Effective immediately, Sean Checkowski, Queen’s Bench Trial and Motion Coordinator,
will be scheduling all Family Division Notices of Application returnable before the Master.”
Contact information is included in the notice.
Notice – Public Viewing/Attendance at Virtual Hearings (February 26, 2021)
In order to allow the general public to view open hearings, while still maintaining health protocols, the Court of Queen’s Bench has allowed for the viewing of Online and Teleconference hearings.
Click on the notice above to read the full instructions on how to request access and the protocols expected to be followed when participating in these events.
See here for all Queen’s Bench COVID-19 related notices and directives.
Notice – (Family Division) Adjustment to Current Scheduling Protocols March 1 to 31, 2021)
“[T]he adjustments to the Court’s scheduling practices for Family Division Proceedings as announced in the December 3, 2020 Practice Direction will now also extend and apply to the period of March 1 to 31, 2021.”
Family and Child protection trials scheduled in March will continue to be heard by video conference.
These changes have come about as a result of the Divorce Act amendments.
DIVORCE ACT AMENDMENTS RULES
On January 29, 2021, The Queen’s Bench Statutory Rules Committee met and passed Queen’s Bench Rule Amendments dealing with Rule 70 amendments, required by the Divorce Act amendments which come into effect on March 1, 2021. It includes an overview of the changes to Rule 70.
The full text of the amendments along with the forms, Man. Reg. 7/2021, are posted on the Manitoba Laws website.
VERSION 6 OF THE MANDATORY STANDARD CLAUSES FOR FAMILY DIVISION ORDERS
The use of Standard Clauses in Family Division orders has been mandatory since 1998 [see Court of Queen’s Bench Rules 70.31(11), (12) and (13). Standard Clauses reflect the intent of a judge’s decision in a consistent way and make the terms of orders more readily understood by parties and agencies dealing with the order.
This version of the mandatory standard clauses can be found on the Manitoba Courts website.
Notice – Out of Province Parties and Witnesses and the Continuing Obligation to Isolate for 14 days (February 4, 2021)
“this Notice will confirm that until further notice … the Court will require all parties or witnesses … who wish to attend in person for their proceedings and who are coming from outside of Manitoba, to continue to isolate as before for the requisite 14 days.”
Notice – COVID-19 precautions – Virtual Assignment Court (January 28, 2021)
Notice – COVID-19 precautions – Virtual Docket Appearances (January 28, 2021)
“In order to reopen the courts responsibly and remain vigilant about preventing the spread of COVID-19, the Court is seeking to reduce the number of persons attending court. Counsel are directed to contact their clients to ensure only those persons who have
something meaningful occurring … attend court.”
Notice – Update to Judicial Justice of the Peace weekday bail dockets (February 5, 2021)
Update on the a pilot project to address the timely release of individuals who have been arrested overnight and held in custody at police facilities anywhere in Manitoba.
Notice – Out of Province Parties and Witnesses and the continuing obligation to isolate for 14 days (February 5, 2021)
“this Notice will confirm that until further notice … the Court will require all parties or witnesses … who wish to attend in person for their proceedings and who are coming from outside of Manitoba, to continue to isolate as before for the requisite 14 days.”