March 8, 2021
Province Introduces Legislation that would Update Court Service Fees and Adjust Juror Compensation
– – –Updates will Create Efficiencies in the Courts: Friesen
The Manitoba government is introducing legislation that would update court service fees and increase juror compensation, Justice Minister Cameron Friesen announced today.
“Our government continues to modernize Manitoba’s courts, to take advantage of technologies, provide better services and decrease wait times for access. This includes addressing fees that have not been updated in years,” said Friesen. “Current juror fees have become a barrier, and these changes will increase fairness for jurors and acknowledge their investment of time.”
Bill 46 would modernize the reasons for exemption from jury duty and improve juror compensation. Current provisions allow for $30 per day beginning on the 11th day of the trial. Under the new legislation, jurors’ compensation will increase and jurors would be paid immediately starting on the first day of their service.
“These updates would align Manitoba with other provinces who have already changed their court fees to better reflect the cost of service and benefit to Manitobans,” added Friesen.
The proposed legislation would add payment options such as credit or electronic transfers and will modernize the court system, addressing access to justice as many Manitobans have begun to move away from cash and cheques.
The amendments to the Court Services Fees Acts would allow for adjustments to court fees to more reasonably reflect the cost of services and the value received by Manitobans. This change would also prepare for an increased range of services coming online with the implementation of the Integrated Case Management System announced in June 2020.
This proposed legislation aligns with the ministerial mandate to modernize and digitalize court registries and back office functions to improve functionality, meet current and future needs, and improve access to justice and reduce risk of error and system failure. The minister noted it also supports the goals of Manitoba’s Criminal Justice Modernization Strategy to ensure timeliness, effectiveness and consistency of cases prosecuted in criminal courts.
A number of court statutes will also be amended that would clarify processes and enhance capacity and ability of Manitoba’s three levels of courts to hear and determine matters. As well, the Department of Justice Act would remove restrictions on compensation to expert witnesses and interpreters.
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