Judges in Alberta are intelligent, dedicated professionals who want to help families resolve disputes. But here’s the truth: the system they work in is broken and it’s not their fault.
What’s Wrong With the System?
- Judges Can’t Control Court Staff: Even if a judge wants to stay an extra 30 minutes to finish your case, they often can’t. Court clerks and courthouse staff work for the provincial government and are unionized, while judges work for the federal government. Judges have no supervisory authority over the staff who run the courthouse.
- Technology Failures During COVID: Many judges wanted to hold more virtual hearings to clear the backlog, but they couldn’t because the provincial government didn’t buy them enough video conferencing licenses. Families waited months for hearings that could have happened online.
- Rigid Bureaucracy: Judges are stuck in a system with layers of mandatory steps, limited flexibility, and outdated processes. Even the most dedicated judge can’t overcome these structural barriers.
What Does This Mean for You?
- Delays Are Inevitable: Even when judges want to help, the system slows everything down.
- Costs Skyrocket: Every delay means more legal fees and more stress.
- No Control: You can’t choose your judge, and you can’t change the system.
Your Better Option: Arbitration
With arbitration, you avoid all of this. Here’s why:
- You Choose Your Decision-Maker: Someone with the expertise and style you trust.
- Flexible Scheduling: No waiting months for a court date.
- Private and Efficient: No bureaucracy, no backlog – just progress.
- Legally Binding Decisions: arbitration awards are legally enforceable.
Judges want to help – but the system ties their hands. If you want control, speed, and fairness, choose arbitration instead of court.