The new name better communicates the nature, purpose and independence of the court: chief justice
The Provincial Court of Alberta has officially changed its name to the Alberta Court of Justice, effective April 1.
The provincial court requested the name change as part of a move to reflect the court's growing responsibilities and independence. The court stated in its strategic plan that the new name better "describes the relationship between our citizens and the justice they seek from our court."
Alberta's chief justice Derek Redman also said that the new name better communicates the nature, purpose, and independence of the court's work on behalf of Albertans. "Over the past five decades, Alberta's front-line, trial-level court has grown in size and complexity and has evolved to meet the changing needs of the province and its people. We have requested this new name to reflect that growth and that evolution."
The provincial court handles many cases each year, with all criminal matters beginning and ending at the provincial court level, making it the busiest court in the province. Over 500,000 people interact with the court in some way each year, either as a witness, a lawyer, a defendant, or a plaintiff.
The court's name change will also mean that a provincial court judge will now be known as "justice." During the transition phase, documents that use the court's previous name and terminology will still be considered valid, and the court will still accept earlier versions of court forms. Temporary signs to reflect the new name will be put in place over the next two weeks, while the court will roll out more permanent signage at the same time as the Court of King's Bench.
Minister of justice and solicitor general Tyler Shandro commented, "The government supports the court's efforts to enhance access to justice. This change helps ensure the court's fundamental responsibility to Albertans, to provide a fair and accessible justice system to all, is reflected in its name."
