Understanding the Alberta Court Hierarchy

The Alberta court system is composed of three distinct levels. As a self-represented individual, identifying which court handles your matter is the first step in your "ClearPath".

1. The Alberta Court of Justice (The Entry Point)

This is the "people’s court" and the first stop for the vast majority of legal issues in the province.

Civil Claims: Handles private disputes involving amounts up to $100,000.

Family Matters: Deals with many family law issues including child support and guardianship, though it does not grant divorces.

Criminal & Regulatory: Processes over 95% of criminal appearances in Alberta, including all traffic and regulatory offenses.

Youth Court: Handles all matters involving young persons under the law.

2. The Court of King’s Bench (The Superior Trial Court)

This is the province's highest trial court. It has "inherent jurisdiction," meaning it can hear almost any type of civil or criminal case.

Serious Matters: Handles complex civil litigation and the most serious criminal trials.

Family & Divorce: This is the only court in Alberta that can grant a Divorce Decree or deal with the division of matrimonial property.

Appellate Role: It also acts as an appeal court for certain decisions made in the Court of Justice.

Administration: Focuses heavily on "Case Management" and judicial dispute resolution to settle matters before trial.

3. The Alberta Court of Appeal (The Review Court)

This is the highest court in the province. It does not hold new trials; it only reviews decisions made by lower courts.

Core Function: To ensure that the law was applied correctly in lower court proceedings.

Jurisdiction: Hears appeals from the Court of King’s Bench, the Court of Justice, and various administrative boards.

The Bench: Decisions are made by a panel of justices who ensure consistency and fairness in the law across Alberta.