-
Introduction of new lawyers
There will be the following ceremonies to welcome newly called lawyers:
- Saskatoon ceremony – September 22, 2023;
- Regina ceremony – October 20, 2023.
-
Masters
The Court of King’s Bench (“Court”) is seeking funding to develop a new role for judges of limited jurisdiction (i.e. similar to “Masters” in other provinces). These new judges would focus on certain matters, and remove same from the workload of King’s Bench judges. The precise title for this new position of judges is not yet determined.
-
Expanded Judicial Complement
The number of judges in Saskatchewan has been increased to 38 (from 33). However, there have been significant delays in obtaining appointments. There are currently three judicial vacancies in Regina.
-
Associate Chief Justice Position
The Court has received approval for an “associate chief justice” position, but the Government has not yet appointed anyone to the position.
-
Electronic Filing
The Court is engaged in Phase 2 of the “JStar” project, which involves electronic filing of court documents. The proposed system may be similar to how documents are submitted in the land titles registry. It is hoped that the system will be operational within the next two years or so.
-
Procedure for Judicial Complaints to LSS
The Court, in concert with the Law Society, has prepared a procedure to allow judges to directly raise concerns about counsel to the LSS.
-
Identification of Pronouns and Titles
The Court has adopted a new procedure entitled Identification of Pronouns and Titles by Court Participants. It invites participants to voluntarily identify the pronouns and titles they wish the Court to use.
-
Vexatious Applications and Proceedings
The Court can now initiate its own concerns regarding vexatious applications and proceedings.
-
Transition to Court of King’s Bench
The governing legislation is now entitled The King’s Bench Act. The numbering system is different in the new Act, but the substance remains the same. It is expected that The Queen’s Bench Rules will be renamed The King’s Bench Rules by September 1, 2023.
-
Judicial Case Conferencing
The Court has implement a Judicial Case Conference process for family law proceedings. The judges who have engaged with the process have reported positive results. Lawyers have raised concerns about the extent to which the conferences increase delay and cost.
-
Revisions to Part 16 of the Queen’s Bench Rules (Probate and Administration of Estates)
The Court has formed a Probate Rules Revision Committee, composed of Justices Zuk, Mills, Kuski Bassett, and Hildebrandt. Feedback from the bar was previously sought by the Court, and drafting by the Committee is now underway.
-
Tariff of Costs
The Tariff of Costs is being updated. It is intended that it will be updated on a regular schedule in the future.
-
Re-Opening of Weyburn Judicial Centre
The Weyburn Court of King’s Bench Judicial Centre and Registry has been re-opened.
-
Publication Ban Repository
There is now a centralized repository of the Court’s discretionary publication bans.
-
After Hours Emergency Protocol
There is now a more formalized process to seek relief on an emergency basis after hours. The Court may be contacted by emailing emergency@skkb.ca.
-
Additional Deputy Registrars
The Court has been approved for twelve new deputy registrar positions. It is hoped that this will assist with the delays in document processing experienced at various court centres. However, it will take time to train and develop the new staff, and patience will be required.
If you would like additional information or would like to raise any concerns with regard to our Courts, please reach out to our Bar Judicial Representatives listed below, or Monteen Dent, Executive Director, monteen@cbasask.org.
2023-2024 Bar Judicial Representatives
Court of Appeal:
Court of King’s Bench:
Provincial Court of Saskatchewan: