Public & Media Access
The Court of King's Bench of Alberta values the open court principle and its policies enhance access by members of the public and media. Except where restricted by law or a judge’s order, courtrooms are open to the public and media, and court records and exhibits are available to view or copy.
Court Information Access Guide for Alberta
The Court Information Access Guide for Alberta covers access to court proceedings, court records and exhibits by members of the public, including the media. It also covers restrictions on access to or publication of court information.
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Contacting the Court
Media Programs in the Court of King’s Bench
Accredited Media
Only Accredited Media may participate in the Courts’ media programs. To be considered as “Accredited Media,” by the Court of King’s Bench and The Provincial Court of Alberta (“the Courts”), a person or organization must satisfy the definition of professional media and meet the standards of professional conduct as set out in the courts' Media Accreditation Policy and provide a written undertaking to comply with the law, Court orders, and Court policies.
Media Undertaking
Members of the media may sign the Media Application and Undertaking and provide it to the Court’s Communications Officer. When the Court accepts the undertaking, the media representative is then accredited media for the purpose of the court’s access policies. Accreditations approved after March 17, 2023 under the current policy are named in the Accredited Media List 2023.
Undertaking and Agreement for Non-Lawyers
Effective immediately, individuals attending remote hearings will no longer be required to complete and submit to the Court an Undertaking and Agreement of Non-lawyers. Instead, all persons attending a remote hearing via video will be required to certify that they have read and agree with the Court's prohibition on recording, livestreaming or broadcasting, as follows, prior to being admitted to a hearing:
BY JOINING THIS PROCEEDING, I ACKNOWLEDGE THAT I HAVE READ AND UNDERTAKE TO ABIDE BY THE FOLLOWING:
In keeping with the open-court principle of Canada’s justice system, the Alberta Courts are providing the ability for individuals to view this proceeding electronically.
General recording, livestreaming, or broadcasting the video or audio of any hearing is strictly prohibited. Members of the public are not permitted to audio or video record, photograph or screenshot any portion of a proceeding. The Alberta Courts’ Media Accreditation Policies, Use of Electronic Devices Policies and Court-Issued Directives related to online hearings [the Policies] apply.
I undertake to abide by the terms of the Policies, publication bans, and other Court orders or Practice Directions. A failure to comply with this undertaking, the Policies or Court orders may result in me being subject to sanctions, including the initiation of contempt of court proceedings against me.
Use of Electronic Devices Policy
Counsel and members of accredited media may keep their devices turned on in courtrooms, subject to the terms of the Use of Electronic Devices Policy. All other persons must turn off their devices in courtrooms. For everyone, this policy governs use of electronic and wireless devices in courtrooms and courthouses.