Staffing shortages at Saint John’s Court of King’s Bench have forced the public closure of the client services counter until Nov. 6, with in-person appointments then moving to by appointment only until the end of the year. In a memo obtained by CTV News Atlantic dated Oct. 23, Court Services executive director Nancy Gatto made court staff aware of the changes. “We appreciate your understanding and cooperation and ask that you share this notice with your clients and colleagues, as appropriate,” the memo reads. The document states emergency applications and motions that require immediate court intervention, as well as those needing help with matters schedule to be heard within 48 hours, will still be able to access the services desk. Beginning Nov. 9, the office will require booked appointments to speak with someone directly at the services desk until the end of 2026. The memo did not mention what will happen when the calendar flips to 2027. CTV News Atlantic has reached out to the Department of Justice and Public Safety for further information about the closure. According to the New Brunswick Courts website, the Court of King’s Bench is divided into two divisions: trial and family. The trail division includes major civil and criminal cases. The family division deals with matters such as divorce, adoptions, child support claims and child protection matters. Hampton, N.B., lawyer Carly Parish, K.C. is a managing partner with New Brunswick law firm Lutz Parish Gerrish. She says the initial reaction upon learning about the service counter closure was “definitely a surprise.” “The lawyers are at our firm are trying to work through it and trying to get organized,” Parish says. “I can’t imagine for court staff, I mean, they must be very overworked and overwhelmed. The court system is already overworked and overwhelmed, as you can appreciate, especially in a family law.” Parish expects the change to be an adjustment for everyone in the court system. While she wasn’t sure how the next two weeks would go, she believes the appointment-only services will see limited issues as the same model was used during the COVID-19 pandemic. “I don’t know how the documents are going to affect things now, the courts are already backed up as it is,” Parish says. “Saint John is one of the busiest jurisdictions in New Brunswick, so there’s always ups and downs with it. I’ve been doing this for over 20 years, so there’s always something but we managed to make it through. It’s just unfortunate.” In an email to CTV News Atlantic, New Brunswick Legal Aid Services Commission executive director Chantal Landry says her team is working with the Saint John office to ensure they are prepared to continue servicing their clients with minimal disruptions. “I am awaiting comments from them so have very little to offer at this stage,” Landry said in the email. While those working in the courthouse are confident disruptions will be minimal, St. Thomas University Criminology and Criminal Justice professor Dr. Michael Boudreau is concerned the move will limit New Brunswickers’ access to justice. “This means that lawyers and people who are self-representing, whether it be in criminal matters or family court matters, that this will take longer now for them to file the necessary paperwork,” says Boudreau. “And if there isn’t someone there on a regular daily basis to provide any guidance, and again, especially for people who are self-representing, that could be a problem.” Boudreau says the service change will impact everyone who works in the courthouse. While lawyers and those who work in the legal system can easily understand the paperwork that is required with court cases, Boudreau says without help it can be challenging for people to navigate. “If you do not have legal training, and I’m thinking in family court matters in particular, this can be daunting,” Boudreau says. “Without the kind of professional service that can be provided with an in-person service, my concern is that people may say, okay, I cannot do this and not follow the paperwork. That could be a very serious matter.” While Boudreau is hopeful that doesn’t happen, he says a lack of filled out paperwork could result in serious repercussions for individuals. For more New Brunswick news, visit our dedicated provincial page.
