{"id":36848,"date":"2025-08-26T11:31:48","date_gmt":"2025-08-26T15:31:48","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.millerthomson.com\/?p=36848"},"modified":"2025-09-10T10:30:26","modified_gmt":"2025-09-10T14:30:26","slug":"accelerating-justice-alberta-targets-36-month-deadline-for-civil-trials","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.millerthomson.com\/en\/insights\/commercial-litigation\/accelerating-justice-alberta-targets-36-month-deadline-for-civil-trials\/","title":{"rendered":"Accelerating justice: Alberta targets 36-month deadline for civil trials"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p>A profound shift is underway in Alberta\u2019s approach to civil litigation. Effective September 1, 2025, pursuant to the Alberta Court of King\u2019s Bench <a href=\"https:\/\/www.albertacourts.ca\/docs\/default-source\/qb\/npp\/mandatory-litigation-plans.pdf?sfvrsn=9b52e782_13\"><em>Notice to the Profession and Public<\/em> dated July 10, 2025<\/a> (the \u201cNotice\u201d), all parties to a civil (non-family) action must file a mandatory litigation plan within four months of service of the first Statement of Defence.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Crucially, that mandatory litigation plan must set out a path to trial within 36 months of the first Statement of Defence &#8211; an ambitious \u201c<a href=\"https:\/\/www.albertacourts.ca\/kb\/resources\/announcements\/reducing-civil-trial-delay\">Civil Trial Target<\/a>\u201d that represents a \u201cgeneral expectation\u201d or \u201ctarget ceiling\u201d for the time to get civil matters to trial in this province.<a href=\"#_ftn1\" id=\"_ftnref1\">[1]<\/a> These reforms reflect, and aim to operationalize, the proportionality and access to justice principles endorsed by the Supreme Court of Canada in <a href=\"https:\/\/decisions.scc-csc.ca\/scc-csc\/scc-csc\/en\/item\/13427\/index.do\"><em>Hryniak v. Mauldin<\/em><\/a>,<a href=\"#_ftn2\" id=\"_ftnref2\">[2]<\/a> and embedded throughout the Alberta<em> Rules of Court<\/em>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">The new regime: Mandatory litigation plans<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>The new requirement for a mandatory litigation plan is not a mere formality &#8211; it requires counsel to consider every significant step of the case, from the close of pleadings to expert reports and alternative dispute resolution, all leading to a trial date within 36 months of the initial defence (absent exceptional circumstances).<a href=\"#_ftn3\" id=\"_ftnref3\">[3]<\/a> Should the parties be unable to reach agreement on any aspect of the litigation plan, the matter must be brought before an Applications Judge to settle the outstanding issues and impose a finalized plan. &nbsp;This procedural change marks a noted departure from the flexible, self-directed timelines that have long characterized Alberta civil litigation.<em><\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Key features of the mandatory litigation plan<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>The template litigation plan released by the court together with the Notice (and pursuant to Rules 4.4(1), 4.4(2), and 4.3(3) of the <em>Rules of Court<\/em>) includes suggested deadlines for certain major litigation steps that achieve the Civil Trial Target, such as:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Third-party claims to be filed within 6 months of the \u201cTrigger Date\u201d (being the date the first statement of defence was served);<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Plaintiff\u2019s and defendant\u2019s affidavit of records to be served within 3 months and 5 months of the Trigger Date, respectively;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>All questioning to be completed within 25 months of the Trigger Date;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Primary, rebuttal, and surrebuttal expert reports to be served by 29, 31, and 33 months after the Trigger Date, respectively;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Alternative dispute resolution to be completed no later than 33 months after the Trigger Date, unless the court orders otherwise; and<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Trial to be scheduled and commence within 36 months of the Trigger Date.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Civil trial target: The new north star<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>The court\u2019s announcement accompanying the Notice makes it clear that counsel and parties are expected to actively manage their litigation with the Civil Trial Target in mind and to serve as an \u201cexpected backstop.\u201d&nbsp; For lawyers and litigants alike, this reform marks the end of litigation that moves at a \u201cself-directed\u201d or \u201cvoluntary\u201d pace.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The \u201chistorical tolerance for delay caused by counsel or party schedules\u201d is to be curtailed. Parties are to select pre-trial steps that are \u201cfair and proportionate,\u201d but will not jeopardize meeting the Civil Trial Target. Failure to comply with the established deadlines without adequate excuse may result in penalties, pursuant to Rule 10.49 of the Alberta <em>Rules of Court<\/em>.<a href=\"#_ftn4\" id=\"_ftnref4\">[4]<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Proportionality, access to justice, and the <em>Hryniak<\/em> culture shift<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>The reform brought about by the Notice is intended to reflect the \u201cculture shift\u201d described by the Supreme Court of Canada in its <em>Hryniak <\/em>decision, which the Court stated:<\/p>\n\n\n<p style=\"padding-left: 40px;\">&#8220;<em>is required in order to create an environment promoting timely and affordable access to the civil justice system<\/em>.&#8221;<a href=\"#_ftn5\" name=\"_ftnref1\">[5]<\/a><\/p>\n<p><em>Hyrniak <\/em>also warned that:<\/p>\n<p style=\"padding-left: 40px;\">\u201c<em>undue process and protracted trials, with unnecessary expense and delay, can prevent the fair and just resolution of disputes<\/em>\u201d.<a href=\"#_ftn6\" name=\"_ftnref2\">[6]<\/a><\/p>\n<p>The new Civil Trial Target aims to rethink the current approach to civil litigation in this province, as instructed by the Supreme Court as follows:<\/p>\n<p style=\"padding-left: 40px;\">\u201c<em>the balance between procedure and access struck by our justice system must come to reflect modern reality and recognize that new models of adjudication can be fair and just<\/em>\u201d.<a href=\"#_ftn7\" name=\"_ftnref3\">[7]<\/a><a href=\"#_ftnref1\" name=\"_ftn1\"><\/a><\/p>\n\n\n<p>Of course, this vision is already formalized in Alberta\u2019s civil justice system. Rule 1.2 of the Alberta<em> Rules of Court<\/em> requires that parties \u201cfacilitate the quickest means of resolving a claim at the least expense\u201d and \u201crefrain from filing applications or taking proceedings that do not further the intention of these rules\u201d.<a href=\"#_ftn8\" id=\"_ftnref8\">[8]<\/a> The Civil Trial Target operationalizes these principles by establishing a presumptive 36-month ceiling for all non-family civil actions.<em><\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Practical takeaways<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>The practical impact of these reforms remains to be seen. &nbsp;For instance, what will the&nbsp; court consider to be \u201cexceptional circumstances\u201d sufficient to justify an action not proceeding to trial within 36 months? &nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>However, the court has made clear that the historical tolerance for \u201cscheduling drift\u201d caused by the availability of parties or counsel will no longer be accepted. Instead, the new regime imposes an expectation of more proactive and strategic planning from the outset of every action. Lawyers are now expected to anticipate potential scheduling issues well in advance and to even arrange backup counsel or other accommodations as needed to ensure deadlines are met. Law firms may need to ensure more robust systems are in place for monitoring the new timing of litigation steps, and ensuring that files do not fall behind.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>For those parties engaged in commercial litigation, it is hoped that these reforms will increase predictability and reduce risk of lengthy court delays. The expectation is that both &nbsp;plaintiffs and defendants alike will benefit from clearer timelines, faster access to justice, and greater certainty about legal costs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Miller Thomson\u2019s Litigation Group can help you stay ahead of the curve<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>With Alberta\u2019s new 36-month Civil Trial Target and mandatory litigation plans coming into force, early strategy and disciplined file management are more critical than ever. Our Litigation Group is ready to guide you through these changes\u2014helping you develop litigation plans that are practical, defensible, and aligned with your business goals.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>To learn how we can support your team or to schedule a consultation, please contact a member of our <a href=\"https:\/\/www.millerthomson.com\/en\/expertise\/commercial-litigation\/\">Commercial Litigation Group<\/a><strong>.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"#_ftnref1\" id=\"_ftn1\">[1]<\/a> Alberta, Court of King\u2019s Bench, Announcement<em>, \u201cReducing Civil Trial Delay<\/em>\u201d (10 July 2025), online: Court of King\u2019s Bench of Alberta <a href=\"https:\/\/www.albertacourts.ca\/kb\/resources\/announcements\/reducing-civil-trial-delay\">https:\/\/www.albertacourts.ca\/kb\/resources\/announcements\/reducing-civil-trial-delay<\/a> (\u201c<strong>ABKB Announcement<\/strong>\u201d).<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"#_ftnref2\" id=\"_ftn2\">[2]<\/a> <em>Hryniak v Mauldin, <\/em>2014 SCC 7 (\u201c<strong><em>Hryniak<\/em><\/strong>\u201d).<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"#_ftnref3\" id=\"_ftn3\">[3]<\/a> Notice, <em>supra <\/em>note 1.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"#_ftnref4\" id=\"_ftn4\">[4]<\/a> ABKB Announcement,<em> supra <\/em>note 2.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"#_ftnref5\" id=\"_ftn5\">[5]<\/a> <em>Hryniak, supra<\/em> at para 3. See also ABKB Announcement, <em>supra <\/em>note 2.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"#_ftnref6\" id=\"_ftn6\">[6]<\/a> <em>Hyrniak, ibid <\/em>at para 24.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"#_ftnref7\" id=\"_ftn7\">[7]<\/a> <em>Ibid <\/em>at para 4.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"#_ftnref8\" id=\"_ftn8\">[8]<\/a> <em>Alberta Rules of Court<\/em>, Alta Reg 124\/2010, r. 1.2 [Alberta <em>Rules of Court<\/em>].<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>A profound shift is underway in Alberta\u2019s approach to civil litigation. Effective September 1, 2025, pursuant to the Alberta Court of King\u2019s Bench Notice to the Profession and Public dated July 10, 2025 (the \u201cNotice\u201d), all parties to a civil (non-family) action must file a mandatory litigation plan within four months of service of the [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":122,"featured_media":25530,"parent":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[545],"insight-format":[416],"class_list":["post-36848","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-commercial-litigation"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v26.1.1 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/wordpress\/plugins\/seo\/ -->\n<title>Accelerating justice: Alberta targets 36-month deadline for civil trials | Miller Thomson<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Effective September 1, 2025, Alberta will require mandatory litigation plans for all non-family civil actions, setting a 36-month target from defence to trial. 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