Rule 219: Stairway to Heaven

Authors

  • Dawn Pentelechuk

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.29173/alr1105

Abstract

The author begins by outlining the history of rule 219 of the Alberta Rules of Court. Rule 219 deals with pre-trial conferences. She outlines some shortcomings of the old rule, and how the rule came under the scrutiny of the Civil Practice Steering Committee. She outlines the reform process which led to the current rule 219, and then goes on to assess whether the new rule has met its goals of settling actions and managing actions to the point of trial. Finding that the settlement of actions has not been much changed by the new rule, she offers ideas for improving the current scheme. In terms of case management, there is hope in the new rule for practitioners who make creative use of it. In conclusion, the author expresses a wish that the new Practice Note 7 will remedy the problems that still exist in regard to very long trials.

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