Early Territorial Courts in Alberta (1878-1887)

• In 1878, Canada divided the Northwest Territories into three judicial districts: Saskatchewan, Bow River, and Qu’Appelle (located outside of present-day Alberta).
• In 1881, the Northwest Territories divided the Saskatchewan Judicial District into three divisions, with Division #3 headquartered in Edmonton.
• In 1882, the Northwest Territories divided the Bow River Judicial District into two divisions, with Division #1 located in Regina and Division #2 located in Fort Macleod.
• In 1883, Division #2 of the Bow River Judicial District was further subdivided to create Division #3, located in Calgary.
• In 1883, the Northwest Territories created new judicial districts based on provisional district boundaries. Within the present-day boundaries of Alberta, there was the Second Judicial District (with Macleod and Calgary Divisions) and the Fourth Judicial District (with an Edmonton Division).
• In 1884, the Northwest Territories created three new judicial districts: Alberta (with Calgary and Fort Macleod Divisions), Assiniboia (with a Medicine Hat Divisions), and Saskatchewan (with an Edmonton Division).

From the Archives

Judicial Districts of Alberta, 1884.

"An Ordinance Respecting the Administration of Civil Justice," Ordinances of the North-West Territories. Regina: Queen's Printer, 1878.

"An Ordinance to Amend and Consolidate as Amended the Ordinance Respecting the Administration of Civil Justice in the North-West Territories," Ordinances of the North-West Territories. Regina: Queen's Printer, 1884.