New jury trials postponed in Saskatchewan due to COVID-19 | The Canadian News

Jury trials scheduled to begin in Saskatchewan between January 10 and February 25 have been postponed.

It is due to the “health risks posed by COVID-19 and its variants,” Martel D. Popescul, Chief Justice of the Saskatchewan Queen’s Court, said in a directive.

Anyone summoned for jury duty between January 10 and February 25 is not required to attend court.

Jury trials currently in progress are not affected.

“The Queen’s Bench Court for Saskatchewan is committed to taking the necessary steps to safeguard the health of everyone in our court rooms and facilities while ensuring access to justice, upholding the rule of law, and continuing court operations as as effective and efficient as possible. Popescul said.

“The court will continue to monitor the situation related to COVID-19 and its variants, and will update the court’s directives from time to time.”

Popescul said arrangements can be made for re-election to trial by judge only for affected criminal cases. In those cases, the trial can continue during the indicated time as long as there is no other impediment for the matter to continue.

If re-election is not opted for, the trial will be postponed to a date after February 25.

“The court will give rescheduling priority to those cases that are deferred,” Popescul said.

The directive applies to all Queen’s Bench court centers in Saskatchewan.

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