The Filing Digital Service (“FDS”) will be expanding to allow filing for more ex parte (without notice) digital orders. Effective February 6, 2025, ex parte digital orders will now be accepted in addition to the already approved civil filings.
A digital order is created by filling out an online form. Once the digital order is finalized, it can be attached and submitted as part of a filing request and can be edited by a Justice or Applications Judge, if needed, prior to signing.
Digital orders can be filed by lawyers and legal assistants if they meet the following criteria:
- Ex parte desk applications
- Proposed order that is accepted by the civil filing service
- Subsequent filings (action number already on file)
- Applications Judges
The following Orders are still not accepted for filing:
- Chambers applications
- Consent orders
- Desk applications to Justices
- Proposed orders that start an action
- Pronounced orders
Digital orders are not mandatory for lawyers and legal assistants but are encouraged to be used when possible. They are intended to decrease the chance of form rejection, improve efficiency, and speed up filing processes. For more information on this update, view the official government FDS help page here, and the office announcement from the Alberta Courts here.
