New Provincial Court Notice – COVID-19 Suspension and Reopening of some Courts (May 15, 2020)

The Provincial Court of Manitoba has posted a new notice to the profession here which states that “the Provincial Court of Manitoba will reopen court proceedings on a staged and incremental basis beginning June 1, 2020”

There will still be limitations and restrictions in place, detailed in an attached notice with safety and cleaning procedures.

Out-of-custody matters will begin to be heard in the six major court centres, Brandon, Dauphin, Portage la Prairie, The Pas, Thompson and Winnipeg.

As of May 19, those dealing with Provincial Offences Act ticket offences may deal with guilty pleas with an explanation by teleconference.

Additionally, “The circuit courts which require the court party to fly into the community will not sit during June” and “All other circuit court locations throughout Manitoba are further suspended for the month of June.”

Finally, “Case management conferences will continue as scheduled and may be conducted by teleconference.”

For full details please the entire notice here, or visit the Manitoba Courts COVID-19 notices here

New Queen’s Bench Notice – Re: Hearing Of Civil Motions During Summer Court Recess

A new notice has been posted here regarding the Winnipeg uncontested civil motions list during the summer court recess from June 29 to September 7, 2020.

The civil uncontested list will sit Wednesdays and Fridays and operate by teleconference commencing at 10:00a.m.

For the call-in number and other details please see this notice and previous notices posted on the Manitoba Courts website.

New Notice to the Profession – Queen’s Bench Masters, Re: COVID-19 Notice to The Profession Procedural Update May 11, 2020

A new notice has been posted here that addresses changes to the previous notices of March 17, April 7, and April 24.

“all currently scheduled civil and family motions, and references set to proceed before the masters on or after May 25, 2020, will proceed, remotely wherever possible…”

The notice also notes changes that:

  • Child Protection Dockets are gradually moving back from the suspension of the 60 day docket rule.
  • Regular masters’ uncontested lists will resume daily operation effective Tuesday May 19, 2020, for previously adjourned motions, and May 25, 2020, for new motions. This changes the April 24, 2020 notice which was to be in effect until May 25, 2020.
  • Commencing the week of May 11, 2020, matters which were previously adjourned through and including May 22, can be scheduled to appear returnable on the masters’ daily uncontested lists which will resume Tuesday, May 19, 2020.
  • Bankruptcy dockets will resume after May 25, 2020, proceeding remotely with allowance for the trustee’s representative to appear in person.
  • With the exception of any scheduled viva voce reference hearings that had been adjourned, all adjourned matters, including hearings for directions, may be rescheduled to proceed remotely.

Special notes and modifications for Brandon Centre as well as the Dauphin, Portage la Prairie, and Morden Centres are also given.

To see all notices and directives regarding changes due to COVID-19 see the Manitoba Courts page here.

New Queen’s Bench Notice to the Profession

UPDATE: The period starts May 25th, not May 26th.

A new notice regarding the scheduling of trials due to loosening COVID-19 restrictions has been posted. This notice confirms that”all currently-scheduled criminal, civil, family and child protection trials in the Court of Queen’s Bench for the period from May 26 to the end of June 2020, will proceed.”

The March 13, 2020 Media Notice regarding access to the Law Courts is still in effect and should be consulted when attending. That notice has been attached for reference.

It also notes that: “the scheduling and hearing of pre-trials, case management meetings, case conferences, motions and JADRs will continue and, accordingly, all those services will proceed remotely by teleconference or videoconference.”

Additionally, “as of May 11, 2020, the approach for having an emergency or urgent matter heard will return to the former and longstanding process by which a request must be made to the motions coordinator.” Includes clarifications as to how it relates to the Family division.

Click here to see the full notice.

Justice Adapting – Manitoba Edition

As COVID-19 events continue to unfold and have an impact on how law is practiced and cases are heard (remotely) in court, legal professionals need timely information on the new procedures. Join LexisNexis Canada as they host:


Speakers:
Honourable Chief Judge Margaret Wiebe of the Provincial Court
Honourable Chief Justice Glenn Joyal Court of the Queen’s Bench
Honourable Chief Justice Richard Chartier of the Court of Appeal


During this webinar we will discuss how their courts are continuing to adapt in light of restricted operations due to COVID-19. They will provide insight into questions such as their experiences in operating virtual courtrooms, the use of judicial discretionary powers to achieve just and fair results, plans for further adaptations, technological successes and challenges, and which processes, if any, the courts will continue to adopt in the post-pandemic world.

Register here.

Consolidated legal updates from the Canadian Bar Association

The CBA has compiled a list of court notices and practice directions related to measures taken by courts across Canada for the COVID-19 situation.

Check their website here to stay up to date on all federal and provincial court notices.

Be sure to check out the other resources in their COVID-19 Resource Hub for more resources on mental health, professional development and advocacy.

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.