Brief Guide to the Calgary Courts Centre for Visiting Counsel
Location
The Calgary Courts Centre is in Downtown Calgary at 601 5th Street SW.
Parking
The entrance ramp for the underground Courthouse Parkade is to the east of the Courthouse on 6th Avenue at 515 6th Avenue SW. There are 700 parking spaces, and the maximum vehicle height limit is 1.93 metres.[1]
Oversized vehicles can be parked at the Impark Wildhorse lots located at 505 5th Avenue SW.[2]
Security
Once you arrive at the Courthouse, you will proceed through security. There is one line for the public and one line for police and lawyers. Bring your current Law Society Membership Card or “Bar Card” with you to enter through the expedited line for police and lawyers.
Matter Lists
Behind the security desk are screens listing most of the matters before the Courts that day along with the time and Courtroom for the appearance.
Elevators
Floors 1 to 12 are accessed via the first bank of elevators. Further back, the second bank of elevators can bring you from the main floor to floors 12 through 24.
Barrister’s Lounge
The security desk behind the metal detectors can provide you with the access code for The Barristers’ Lounge. The lounge is located on the 4th floor.
Within the lounge are meeting rooms, small work rooms, cubicles, and an open space with tables and chairs. Also in the lounge are video rooms with the capability of connecting Calgary criminal lawyers to clients in detention facilities around the province. These video rooms are used primarily for speaking with clients on the day of their Court appearance. Before turning on the video, counsel must refer to the phone list to first call the CCTV unit at the facility where their client is housed.
Iris Barry Yake Robe Bank
On the 5th floor is the Law Library.
Also, within the Law Library is the Iris Barry Yake Robe Bank.[3] Lawyers can access and drop-off donations of dry-cleaned gowns and waistcoats. To borrow the clothing, you will need to have an Alberta Law Libraries account. If needed, an account can be created for you, or you can apply online.[4]
Lawyers are asked to treat the clothing gently and then dry-clean and return the items promptly after you are finished using them. More information can be found on the Law Library website.[5]
Accommodation
The closest hotel is now the Hampton Inn by Hilton across the street, at 614 6th Avenue SW:
https://www.hilton.com/en/hotels/yycabhx-hampton-calgary-downtown
There are several other hotels within reasonable walking distance.
Interesting Facts
The principal architect was Kasian Architecture with Norr Limited/Carlos Ott as design architects. The project received considerable recognition:
- Awards Citation, AIA Academy of Architecture for Justice, Justice Facilities Review, 2009
- Award of Excellence, Canadian Design-Build Institute, 2009
- Merit Award in Green Building, AIA, Miami Chapter, 2008
- Silver Recipient, Premiers Award of Excellence, 2005
[1] https://indigoneo.ca/en/car-park/c062-calgary-courts-centre
[2] https://imparknow.com/ca/product/wildhorse-south-lot/
[3] https://www.lawsociety.ab.ca/iris-barry-yake-robe-bank-update/
[4] https://lawlibrary.ab.ca/services/apply-for-a-library-card/
[5] https://lawlibrary.ab.ca/services/services-to-the-bar/robe-bank/
