This release was issued under a previous government.

The Provincial Court of Alberta’s civil claims limit will increase from $25,000 to $50,000 on August 1. The increase means Albertans will have greater access to the Provincial Court and will ensure more timely and cost-effective resolution of civil claims using a more simplified and user-friendly process.

“Increasing access to justice for Albertans is a priority. This is why the civil claims limit in the Provincial Court is being increased, and why more options for dispute resolution are being introduced.”

Jonathan Denis, Minister of Justice and Solicitor General

To help Albertans resolve their civil legal disputes, a Provincial Court pilot project will direct civil claims disputes into appropriate resolution tracks. This will help Albertans with straightforward civil legal matters, whose cases can benefit from early intervention, resolve their claim efficiently and effectively.

It will also ensure the full complement of the Court’s services and resources are available for more complicated cases. The pilot project begins this fall in Edmonton and Calgary.

“The mission of the Provincial Court of Alberta is to deliver quality justice on an accessible, affordable and timely basis. The Civil Division of our Court is committed to providing the fair and just resolution of civil disputes through affordable, understandable and simplified processes. The increase in the financial jurisdiction of our Court to $50,000 and the Court's decision to implement resolution tracks will, together with existing dispute resolution mechanisms, enable more people to access our Court to resolve their civil disputes in a timely and cost-effective manner.”

Terrence Matchett, Chief Judge, Provincial Court of Alberta

The changes reflect a proportional approach to the justice system, where there is flexibility to use the appropriate justice system resources for individual cases. 

Under the Building Alberta Plan, our government is investing in families and communities, living within our means, and opening new markets for Alberta's resources to ensure we're able to fund the services Albertans told us matter most to them. We will continue to deliver the responsible change Albertans voted for.