Greetings everyone. We are all watching in horror as the Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) makes its way across the world infecting thousands of people. The speed at which the virus is spreading from place to place and the devastation it brings have caused the world to take unprecedented measures. We are not immune in New Brunswick.
In these most difficult times, it is critical that the public be confident that the rule of law will continue to govern as we face this health crisis together. In New Brunswick, the three branches of government (legislative, executive and judicial) have coordinated their efforts to ensure that, within their jurisdiction, public health and the health of public employees are protected while at the same time essential services continue to be provided. For the New Brunswick courts, this has meant adjourning nonessential cases while still hearing and determining urgent and essential ones. Of course, where attendance in court is necessary, protective measures have been implemented to follow public health directives.
On this website’s page for each level of the New Brunswick courts, you will find directives addressing the COVID-19 situation in that court. These may be updated from time to time as the situation changes. We would urge anyone who has a matter before a court to read the information on that court’s page and carefully follow the instructions.
Best wishes to everyone.
J.C. Marc Richard, Chief Justice of New Brunswick
Tracey K. Deware, Chief Justice of the Court of Queen’s Bench
Jolène Richard, Chief Judge of the Provincial Court