Province aims to reduce delays and free up courtroom space through online proceedings
The New Brunswick government will introduce centralized virtual bail hearings beginning April 9, aiming to improve timely access to justice, reduce court delays, and make more efficient use of judicial resources.
The initiative, announced by the Department of Justice and Public Safety, will initially apply to bail hearings in Fredericton and Woodstock, with expansion to Moncton planned at a later stage. Under the new framework, all parties involved in bail hearings will appear online rather than in physical courtrooms.
“This initiative is about improving timely access, but it’s also about doing things differently, so our justice system works better for New Brunswickers,” said Justice Minister and Attorney General Robert McKee in a press release. “While the format is new, the law is not. The same legal tests, judicial oversight and protections for accused persons and public safety apply in a virtual bail hearing, just as they do in person.”
The NB government stated that the move to virtual bail hearings is designed to free up physical courtroom space for trials and other matters. In Fredericton, where the provincial court operates with three courtrooms and a high volume of charges, bail hearings currently occupy one courtroom full-time for two days each week.
By transitioning these matters online, the province expects to reduce pressure on court facilities, particularly in regions experiencing longer wait times. The initiative will support two virtual bail courts operating five days per week.
Following implementation in Fredericton, Woodstock, and Moncton, the Department of Justice and Public Safety will work with the provincial court chief judge to assess potential expansion to additional regions.
The NB government confirmed that there will be no change to the process for individuals already in custody, as their bail hearings are generally conducted by video.
Virtual bail hearings will remain accessible to the public via Microsoft Teams each Thursday at 10 a.m. and 1:30 p.m., with access links published on provincial court and government websites. The NB government also stated that accommodations will be available through Court Services for individuals who lack access to the necessary technology to participate in virtual hearings.
