Authors: Melissa N. Burkett and Kelly Osaka, Dentons Canada LLP

This paper provides an in-depth review of civil litigation developments in Alberta over the past year. The most significant update was the introduction of NPP2025-02: Mandatory Litigation Plans in Civil (Non-Family) Cases.

Beyond this change, 2025 brought important shifts in several key areas, including:

• The elimination of the “inextricably linked” test and evolving interpretations of what constitutes a “significant advance” under Rule 4.33
• Judicial guidance on whether actions such as serving supplemental or “Nil” affidavits of records, and ambiguous undertaking responses meet the threshold for advancement
• Clarifications on the scope and limits of discovery and the proper assessment of costs
• The evolving treatment of self-represented litigants under the Alberta Rules of Court
• Practical lessons and cautionary tales regarding the use of large language models and AI in litigation

This paper provides insights to help you navigate these changes effectively.

These materials were presented at LESA’s Rules of Court 2025: Year in Review webinar on December 2, 2025.