MEDIA BASICS

• Bring employment ID. This can be a work photo ID, business card, etc.
• Find the courtroom. Most court houses have printed schedules or TV screens displaying the matters scheduled in each courtroom. Ask the Deputy Sheriffs at the front entrance or staff at the counter in the court office if you need assistance.
• Sit at a marked media table, or anywhere else in the gallery. Never walk past the “bar”. The “bar” is usually a railing or half-wall separating the public gallery and the lawyers’ tables. Media are not permitted in the front section of the courtroom where the lawyers, accused, court clerk and judge are sitting.
• Find out if there is a publication ban in place.
  – In court, listen closely at the beginning of proceedings; publication bans are often addressed at the start.
  – Ask the lawyers or the court clerk in a break. If you are still unsure, check with the staff in the court office.
  – If you are covering a case at the Court of King’s Bench, review the Discretionary Publication Ban list.
• In the court room:
  – Do not bring food or drinks into the courtroom.
  – Do not take photos or videos inside the courtroom or anywhere else inside the court house.
  – Display your ID so court staff and court security can see that you are a reporter.
  – You may take notes electronically (on your laptop or phone).
  – If you are using an electronic device in the courtroom, it must be for work purposes only.
• The Court does not arrange interviews. If you want to speak to lawyers, family, etc., reporters must make their own arrangements. Judges speak only through their decisions.
• The Court cannot provide legal advice to media. If you are unsure about publishing/broadcasting something you observed in court, check with your own newsroom legal counsel.

1. Apply for a Ministry-issued Court ID card
   This allows media to bypass security screening at all courthouses, permits journalists to audio-record court proceedings for accuracy in reporting, and provides other privileges to streamline court reporting. The application and ID issuing process is handled by the Ministry of Justice.
2. Read the Electronic Text-Based Communication in Courtrooms: Media Protocol
   This Policy outlines permitted use of electronic devices such as laptops and cellphones to post online news stories or social media posts from the courtroom.
3. Get access to the Provincial Court Online Docket
   The Online Docket provides a daily digital schedule of Provincial Court proceedings across the province. Each day, the docket is available for users from 6:30 a.m. until 8:00 p.m. Email the Courts Communications Officer for access to the Online Docket.
4. Get familiar with the process for requesting Access to Court Records
   These guidelines outline how you may request copies of court documents, exhibits, court audio, etc. from the court offices. Each level of court (Provincial Court, Court of King’s Bench, Court of Appeal) has their own processes.
5. Sign up for notification of Discretionary Publication Ban applications
   Subscribers receive an email notice when a lawyer or self-represented individual applies to the Provincial Court or Court of King’s Bench for a discretionary publication ban. This ensures members of the media are aware of the application and have 3-5 days to prepare a challenge if they wish.
6. Follow the Courts of Saskatchewan on Bluesky
   Decisions and court updates are posted regularly.
7. Bookmark the Provincial Court Data Dashboard
   The dashboard offers court data for the entire province, as well as specific data from each of the 13 Provincial Court courthouses.

Courtrooms:

Members of the media are welcome to attend all sessions of court in Saskatchewan, except in rare circumstances where legislation dictates, or a judge orders, that a proceeding be held in private.

In some courtrooms, there are designated media tables where reporters may sit during proceedings. The tables are typically located at the front of the gallery, behind the lawyers’ tables. If there is not a designated media table, reporters may sit in the gallery.

Taking photographs or videos is prohibited inside courtrooms.

Court Houses:

There are 23 court houses in Saskatchewan; 10 Court of King’s Bench locations (including two shared with the Court of Appeal) and 13 Provincial Court locations.

Provincial Court also holds court sittings in 59 locations in rural areas or small communities. Circuit point court is typically held in town halls, rec centres, band halls, etc.

Media may film and photograph the exterior of courthouses (or Provincial Court circuit point locations). Media must not obstruct access to the courthouse doors or stairs with photography or filming equipment. Photographers and videographers are prohibited from filming into the windows or doors of any courthouse or circuit point court location.

Interviews
Media are permitted to film interviews with lawyers, family or other court participants in front of the court house, so long as the scrum does not block the entrance to the court house. Note: Reporters are responsible for arranging all interviews – the Courts do not participate in or arrange interviews with parties involved in court proceedings.

Accused Persons
Media are permitted to film and photograph accused persons as they enter and exit the court house. If the accused is in-custody, media are also permitted to film the Deputy Sheriffs who may be escorting the accused.

Judges, Jury, Court staff
Media must never film or photograph judges, court employees, or members of a jury.

Permission to film court interior
If you wish to film/photograph inside a court house or courtroom for the purposes of a news story or to take stock images, contact the Courts Communications Officer to make arrangements.

Judges

Media do not address judges in the courtroom unless the judge asks a member of the media a direct question.

Judges do not provide media interviews on their decisions; they speak through their judgments issued.

Court Clerks / Judicial Officers

When court is not in session, members of the media may direct basic questions to the court clerk present in the courtroom (e.g., spelling or pronunciation of judge’s name, ballpark timing of proceedings, etc.)

Media should not speak with a court clerk when a judge or jury is present in the courtroom.

Note: No member of the media is permitted beyond the bar in a courtroom at any time. The “bar” is usually a railing or half-wall between the public gallery and the lawyers’ tables.

Court Office Staff

Members of the media are permitted and encouraged to speak with staff in the court offices. Court staff can be found at the wicket counter (Provincial Court) or in designated Registry Offices (Court of King’s Bench and Court of Appeal). Media should identify themselves clearly when requesting information.

– In person, court staff can help reporters with navigating the court house and answering basic questions about court files.
– Over the phone or email, court staff can assist with basic media requests such as: providing next appearance dates, status of proceedings, dispositions (outcome/result of court proceedings), etc.

Depending on the nature of the media request, court staff may ask reporters to complete forms to request information.

Contact information:

• Provincial Court has 13 court house locations and 59 circuit point locations
• Court of King’s Bench has 10 court house locations
• Court of Appeal has one Registry Office located in Regina

Courts Communications Officer

The Courts Communications Officer (CCO) is the media liaison for all three levels of Court in Saskatchewan. The office of the CCO is located in the Victoria Avenue courthouse in Regina, however the CCO is the main point of contact for all courts and all newsrooms across the province.

The CCO is not a representative of the Government of Saskatchewan, but is a representative of the Courts of Saskatchewan and the judiciary.

The Access to Court Records page provides detailed guidelines on requesting access to court records including documents, exhibits and court audio (where applicable) from the Courts of Saskatchewan.

Common Terminology for Court Records
Click the document icon to view an example of this type of court document.

Agreed Statement of Facts– Document outlining a set of facts that both sides agree are true and will not contest during proceedings.
Used in: Provincial Court , Court of King’s Bench , Court of Appeal

Court audio – All court proceedings are audio recorded by the court clerk. Some of these recordings make up the official “court record” in the Provincial Court and Court of King’s Bench. Audio and video recordings made in the Court of Appeal are not considered to be part of the court record as appeals are based on the record of proceedings in the court or tribunal whose decision is under .
Used in: Provincial Court , Court of King’s Bench

Endorsement– A brief, written record outlining what occurs during a court proceeding. Compiled by the court clerk and usually indicates next procedural steps for a case and any judicial decisions or orders made.
Used in: Provincial Court & Court of King’s Bench

Exhibit– Physical or digital evidence that has been filed with the Court.
Used in: Provincial Court & Court of King’s Bench

Factum – Statement of facts and an outline of the legal argument. Lawyers will reiterate some, but not all, of the factum during their oral arguments to the judges in the courtroom.
Used in: Court of Appeal

Fiat – Directive issued by a judge that mandates a specific action or decision.
Used in: Provincial Court , Court of King’s Bench , Court of Appeal

Indictment – Document that identifies the criminal charge(s) laid. Signed by the Crown Prosecutor prosecuting the charge(s).
Used in: Court of King’s Bench

Information – Document that identifies the criminal charge(s) laid. Signed by the police officer issuing the charge(s).
Used in: Provincial Court

Judgment/Decision – Conclusion reached by a judge or judges at the end of a proceeding. Reasons for the conclusion are always provided. Judgments and decisions may be delivered orally or in writing.
Used in: Provincial Court , Court of King’s Bench , Court of Appeal

Notice of Appeal – Document that initiates the appeal process. Filed with the Court by the party initiating the appeal and includes a brief summary of the grounds (reason) for the appeal.
Used in: Court of Appeal

Statement of Claim – Document that starts a civil lawsuit. Written and filed by the plaintiff (person initiating the lawsuit) and outlines the issue(s) and what the plaintiff wants.
Used in: Provincial Court & Court of King’s Bench

Statement of Defence – Written and filed by the defendant (person being sued). It is the reply to the Statement of Claim; it admits or denies the plaintiff’s claims and presents the defendant’s side of the facts.
Used in: Provincial Court & Court of King’s Bench

Provincial Court 

Civil files (lawsuits) that involve a claim of under $50,000 may be heard at the Provincial Court. This is called Small Claims Court.

All Small Claims files start with a first appearance. If all parties are in attendance, the judge will determine if resolution is possible. If resolution does not occur at first appearance, the judge may direct parties to a case management conference. If no settlement is reached at the case management conference, the matter will proceed to trial.

• Provincial Court civil files are categorized by Small Claims number: Ex: #88 of 2026

Court of King’s Bench

The Court of King’s Bench has the jurisdiction to hear any civil law matter, including all disputes involving land. Practically speaking, disputes with a claim value of $50,000 or less are typically handled at Provincial Court.

Some interim matters or summary judgment matters will be heard in King’s Bench Civil Chambers. On these dates, a judge hears a number of matters in one sitting. Some matters will proceed to trial for a final resolution.

• King’s Bench civil files are categorized by file number. Ex: KBG-RG-00001-2026
  The RG represents the court location in Saskatchewan with jurisdiction over the file. RG is Regina, SA is Saskatoon, BF is Battleford, etc. The year represents when the claim was initiated.
  *Files prior to September 2022 are titled QBG (Queen’s Bench) instead of KBG.*

The Court of King’s Bench also hears appeals from decisions made by a Provincial Court judge sitting in Small Claims Court, and from decisions of certain statutory tribunals.

Civil Litigation Searches

A civil litigation search will produce a list of civil actions commenced for or against a person or party (business, organization, etc).

To request a civil litigation search at the Court of King’s Bench, follow the process outlined here. A province-wide search can be requested for civil actions started after January 1, 2005.

The Provincial Court does not have a central repository of Small Claims records. To request a civil litigation search at the Provincial Court, an application outlining the search must be submitted to the courthouse of jurisdiction you would like to search. To conduct a province-wide search, a request with the party name(s) must be submitted to each Provincial Court office (there are 13).

Provincial Court 

Every individual charged with a criminal offence makes their first appearance in Provincial Court.

Some files will stay at Provincial Court until the matter is complete. This may include a bail hearing (show cause hearing), entry of a plea, a trial, sentencing, etc. The first several court appearances for an accused person happen in docket court, where a judge hears a number of matters in one sitting. If an accused person enters a plea of not-guilty, the matter will be scheduled for trial and will be heard in a trial courtroom.

• Provincial Court criminal files are categorized by Information number (ex: 991000111).

An ‘Information’ is the formal document that outlines a criminal charge at Provincial Court. An Information may include one single offence, or multiple offences (counts) under the Criminal Code.

Court of King’s Bench

Some criminal files – typically ones including the most serious criminal charges – will transfer from Provincial Court to the Court of King’s Bench for trial. For example, all murder trials are held at the Court of King’s Bench. All jury trials must be held at the Court of King’s Bench.

Once a file has moved from Provincial Court to the Court of King’s Bench, King’s Bench has jurisdiction of the file and all further proceedings will be held at King’s Bench.

• Court of King’s Bench criminal files are categorized by file number (ex: CRM-RG-00001-2026).
  The RG represents the court location in Saskatchewan with jurisdiction over the file. RG is Regina, SA is Saskatoon, BF
  is Battleford, etc.

An ‘Indictment’ is the formal document that outlines a criminal charge at King’s Bench. An Indictment may include one single offence, or multiple offences (counts) under the Criminal Code.

If a person is convicted of a criminal offence by a judge of the Provincial Court, that person may appeal the conviction to the Court of King’s Bench. These appeals are referred to as ‘summary conviction appeals’ and they are heard by a judge of the Court of King’s Bench.

Jury trials (both criminal and civil) are held only at the Court of King’s Bench.

Criminal jury trial: The accused person chooses (elects) whether the trial will be heard by a judge alone or a jury. In a jury trial, twelve jurors hear the evidence and decide if the accused person is guilty or not guilty. Before the jury makes their decision, the judge explains the law that they must consider when deciding the verdict. If the jury delivers a guilty verdict, it is the role of the judge to determine the sentence.

Civil jury trial: One of the parties requests and pays for a jury. Six jurors hear the evidence and determine the issues involved.

Jury Selection
The selection of a jury occurs on the first scheduled day of the trial. Media are permitted to attend jury selection but are prohibited from reporting any information that may identify a juror or potential juror.

Publication Bans
In every jury trial, this publication ban is automatically in place:

Criminal Code section 648 (1): After permission to separate is given to members of a jury under subsection 647(1), no information regarding any portion of the trial at which the jury is not present shall be published in any document or broadcast or transmitted in any way before the jury retires to consider its verdict.

This means that if something is said when the jury is out of the courtroom at any point during the trial (including selection), it cannot be published. This publication ban is lifted once the jury is sequestered and enters their deliberations.

Deliberations
When all court proceedings are complete and the judge has given the jurors instructions, the jury begins their deliberations. This occurs in a private jury room in the courthouse where only the jurors are present. Deliberations have no time limit; it may take hours or days for a jury to reach a verdict.

Verdict notification to media
Reporters can provide an email address to the court clerk and request a notification email when the jury returns with a verdict. It is the responsibility of the reporter to attend to the courtroom as quickly as possible after notification has been made. The Court will not wait for media to arrive before the verdict is read.

Sentencing
Once a jury delivers their verdict, they are dismissed. If the accused is found guilty, the judge imposes the sentence at a later date.

Common Terminology Used in Jury Trials:

• Summons – The letter received in the mail by potential jurors instructing them to attend court for selection
• Selection – The court process where 12-14 people are selected from a large group of potential jurors, and sworn in to form a jury
• Challenge for Cause – The process where potential jurors are asked a series of specific questions by the judge. This may occur in cases where pre-trial publicity or potential juror bias may be a factor. Example questions:
  1) Have you heard, read or seen anything about this case in any form of media (newspaper, radio, internet, social media or TV) with respect to the allegations against the accused?
  2) If yes, have you formed any views about the guilt or innocence of the accused?
• Jury charge – The instructions that the judge provides to the jury before they are tasked to make their decision. The “charge” is written by the judge, with input from both the Crown and defence. It often takes multiple hours for the judge to read the charge to the jury.
• Sequestered – When all court proceedings are complete and a jury begins their deliberations. Once a jury is sequestered, they do not leave the jury room in the courthouse until they have reached a verdict. If required, the jury will sleep in a supervised hotel and return to the jury room in the morning.

Jury summons and all jury management at the courthouse is handled by the Sheriff’s Office. This is different from the Deputy Sheriffs who provide courthouse security and prisoner transport/management in the courthouse.

More jury information including a FAQ is available on the Court’s Jury Information page.

The Court of Appeal reviews decisions made by the Court of King’s Bench, Provincial Court and certain administrative tribunals to determine if the judge, tribunal or adjudicator made material errors. It is an appellate court, which means that it does not conduct trials and – apart from a few limited exceptions – does not receive evidence or hear witnesses.

The Court hears appeals in both civil and criminal matters.

• Criminal appeals include sentence appeals, conviction appeals, appeals from acquittals and appeals in youth criminal matters.
• Civil appeals include commercial, administrative and family law matters.

An appeal is not a “do-over”, it is a review for error. An appellant must indicate the grounds of alleged errors that they are basing their appeal upon.

Appeal Process

Notice of Appeal

Appeals in the Court of Appeal are started by filing a Notice of Appeal– a document that outlines the appellant’s intention to appeal, the decision they are appealing from, and the grounds of alleged errors that they are basing their appeal upon.

A criminal Notice of Appeal must be filed with the Court of Appeal within 30 days of the date of the decision by a lower court. Some criminal appeals require “leave”, or permission, to appeal. By practice, that permission is requested on the date set for hearing the appeal.

Civil appeals are subject to different rules and timelines than criminal appeals, and in certain circumstances, leave to appeal is required. In civil appeals, parties ask for the Court’s leave by making an application to a judge in Chambers for leave to appeal. That application must be made within 15 days of the date of the decision under appeal.  If leave is granted, then a Notice of Appeal may be filed.

In other civil cases, leave to appeal is not necessary. If the party wishing to appeal has a right of appeal, in most cases a Notice of Appeal must be within 30 days of the date of the decision appealed from.

Appeal Hearing

In an appeal hearing, both parties involved are required to submit a factum (a document outlining the appeal arguments) with the Court in advance of the scheduled hearing. At the appeal hearing, lawyers or self-represented parties will make their arguments verbally to a panel of 3-5 judges.

Media may attend chambers hearings and appeal hearings in person or virtually via Webex. The Court of Appeal hearing schedule is available online. Those wishing to attend a Court of Appeal hearing virtually can contact the Court of Appeal Registry Office for a link.

In most appeals, the judges reserve their decision. This means they do not come to their conclusion on the day of the hearing. Court of Appeal decisions that have been reserved are issued as written decisions on a later date. The Registrar’s office can generally accommodate media requests for notice to be given one day before a written decision is released.

Decisions

Decisions in Court of Appeal hearings are typically not read aloud in court, as is commonly seen in the Provincial Court and Court of King’s Bench. Decisions are issued in writing and distributed by the Court of Appeal Registry Office. The Court maintains a media distribution list and proactively emails high-profile decisions to newsrooms in Saskatchewan. All Court of Appeal decisions are also posted publicly on CanLII and the Court’s Bluesky page.

In general terms, a decision issued by the Court of Appeal may:

• • dismiss the appeal;
  • allow the appeal and order a new trial or hearing; or
  • allow the appeal and change the order of the lower court or tribunal.

After the Court decides an appeal, in some instances a party may seek leave to appeal to the Supreme Court of Canada. Approximately 3-5 cases per year from Saskatchewan are heard at the Supreme Court of Canada.

In some court proceedings, the publication and broadcast of certain information may be limited.

Imposing a publication ban in a court case can protect the safety and privacy of a victim or witness, the identity of a youth, or the fairness of a trial.

Reporter Responsibility

Every journalist covering court must be aware that a publication ban may be in effect. This is especially important if you are posting to social media or making live website updates from a courtroom without much opportunity for review before publishing.

It is the responsibility of journalists who attend court proceedings or who obtain copies of court files to inform themselves of any restrictions that limit the publication of information. If you are unsure, ask the court staff in the court office, or ask the court clerk during a break in proceedings. Court staff can provide the section of the Criminal Code the ban is pursuant to, but staff cannot provide advice on how to interpret the ban or tell you what you can and can’t publish.

It is also the responsibility of the media outlet to comply with all publication bans. Breaching a publication ban could be an offence under legislation or it could constitute contempt of court. The penalty could be a fine, a conditional discharge or probation order, or possibly even jail.

If you are unsure about a publication ban or the impact of a ban on your reporting, always consult your newsroom lawyer/legal counsel.

Types of Publication Bans

Mandatory bans

Do not require a court order and are in effect automatically by operation of statute. The law simply mandates a ban on publication.

Examples: identity of complainant in sexual offences, preliminary hearings, youth criminal files (Youth Criminal Justice Act)

Discretionary bans

Are granted at the Court’s discretion, based on case-specific considerations and/or application from lawyers. When deciding whether to impose a discretionary ban, a judge will weigh the public’s right to know against the impact of publication on trial fairness, or on the safety and privacy of a victim or witness.

Examples: identity of witnesses testifying, certain facts of the case, sealing orders

In Saskatchewan, lawyers or self-represented individuals who are seeking a discretionary publication ban must provide 3-5 days notice to the media. This ensures members of the media are aware of the application and have time to prepare a challenge so they can contest the application in open court, if they wish to do so.

This policy is outlined for Provincial Court matters in: Practice Directive 12 – Discretionary Orders Restricting Media Reporting or Public Access and for King’s Bench matters in: Practice Directive #3 – Discretionary Orders Restricting Media Reporting or Public Access.

Discretionary publication ban notification system

The Courts have an email notification system that alerts subscribers when an application for discretionary publication ban is made. Media can sign up for notifications here.

Court of King’s Bench discretionary publication ban list

The Court of King’s Bench maintains an online list of cases that are subject to discretionary publication bans. Reference this list before covering proceedings at the Court of King’s Bench.

Court decisions can be issued by a judge:

• Verbally in court
• As a written document

Decisions are public record. If you are not present in a courtroom for a decision or would like to obtain a copy of a written decision, contact the court office of jurisdiction to obtain the decision.

To obtain audio of an oral decision read verbally in the Provincial Court or Court of King’s Bench, members of the media can make a request to the court office of jurisdiction. The audio is to be used for reporting purposes only; the broadcast or sharing of court audio without explicit permission from the Court is prohibited.

Oral decisions read verbally in the Court of Appeal can be obtained from the Registrar.

Published Decisions

Some written court decisions are also submitted to a publisher and added to online legal databases.

Unless delivered orally at the time of the hearing, almost all Court of Appeal decisions on appeals are published. Some Court of King’s Bench and Provincial Court decisions are published.

To view recently published court decisions, check the Courts of Saskatchewan BlueSky page or the Saskatchewan tab on CanLII.

Audio Recordings

The Courts make an audio recording of proceedings, which serves as the official court record in the Provincial Court and the Court of King’s Bench. Audio and/or video recording of proceedings in the Court of Appeal are not considered to be part of the record because appeals are based on the record of proceedings in the Court or tribunal whose decision is under appeal.

To obtain a copy of court-recorded audio, media can make a request to the court office of jurisdiction over the matter. Audio recordings of court proceedings must not be broadcasted, distributed or repurposed in any way. Any publication bans or sealing orders related to the file also apply to audio obtained from the court.

Text Transcripts

The Courts do not produce or provide text transcripts of proceedings to the public or the media.

Transcript Services (a branch of the Ministry of Justice) is responsible for preparing text transcripts of court proceedings, upon request. To request a text transcript of a proceeding, an application must be made to the Ministry of Justice Transcript Services. Fees are required.

• Eating and drinking are not permitted in the courtroom.
• Hats and sunglasses are not permitted in the courtroom.
• Media can use electronic devices for reporting purposes only. Devices must be on silent and your use of electronics must not be disruptive or distracting to others in the courtroom.
• You can come and go from the courtroom while court is in session, but please do so quietly.
• You will notice lawyers, Deputy Sheriffs and other court staff bow to the judge when entering or exiting the courtroom. Media and members of the public are not required to bow.
• The clerk will announce the opening and closing of court, asking everyone to stand while the judge (and jury, if applicable) enters and exits the courtroom. Remain standing until the judge is seated, or until they have left the courtroom.