On December 6, the Justice Statutes Amendment Act passed the first reading in the legislature, bringing drastic changes to the Alberta civil division (“small claims”) process one step closer to law. They will not be that “small” for much longer.
While the increased civil claims limit will not be effective until designated by regulation, the proposed increase from $50,000 to $200,000 opens up the Provincial Court to larger and more complex cases.
This significant increase in the claim limit is meant to reduce pressure on courts and allow more Albertans to file claims in Provincial Court. But what impacts will that have?