How Long Is a Judgment Valid in Alberta? Renewal and Expiry Rules
The 10-Year Validity Period
Under Section 11 of the Limitations Act (RSA 2000, c L-12), an Alberta civil judgment is enforceable for 10 years from the date it was entered. During those 10 years, you can use every enforcement tool available — garnishment, seizure, property execution — to collect the money owed.
After 10 years, enforcement rights expire permanently unless you renew the judgment before the deadline. There is no grace period and no retroactive fix. If the clock runs out, the debt still technically exists but you have no legal mechanism to force payment.
How to Renew a Judgment
To extend enforcement beyond the initial 10-year window, you must apply to the Court of King's Bench for a renewal order before the expiration date. The court has discretion to grant a further 10-year period.
The application should be filed well in advance of the deadline — at least several months before year 10. Court scheduling delays and administrative backlogs can push hearing dates out further than expected, and there is no provision to renew a judgment after it has already expired.
When the court grants a renewal, the new 10-year period starts from the date of the renewal order. Your enforcement rights continue without interruption, and your PPR registration and other filings remain in effect (subject to their own renewal requirements).
The Separate PPR Clock
The 10-year judgment validity is one clock. Your Personal Property Registry registration runs on a different, shorter cycle.
Under the Civil Enforcement Act, your PPR registration must be maintained by filing a Status Report every two years. If you miss the two-year window, the registration lapses and you lose your priority position against the debtor's personal property.
These two clocks run independently:
| Clock | Period | Consequence of Expiry |
|---|---|---|
| Judgment validity | 10 years from entry | All enforcement rights extinguished permanently |
| PPR registration | 2 years from last status report | Priority lost; must re-register with a new (later) priority date |
Missing a PPR status report is recoverable — you can re-register, though you lose your original priority date. Missing the judgment renewal is not recoverable.
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Why Debtors Wait You Out
Some judgment debtors adopt a deliberate strategy of delay. They know the 10-year clock is ticking and they bet the creditor will lose track, lose interest or simply not know about the renewal requirement.
A debtor who is currently judgment-proof — earning below the wage exemption floor, renting, owning no seizable assets — may have a very different financial picture in year 7 or year 8. Inheritance, career advancement, property purchase or business success can transform a previously uncollectable debtor into one with substantial assets.
This is why maintaining your registrations and monitoring the debtor's situation over time matters. The 10-year window exists because the legislature recognized that collection often requires patience.
Practical Timeline Management
Mark three dates in your calendar the day you register your writ:
- PPR Status Report due — every two years from registration. Set the reminder at 22 months so you have a buffer.
- Judgment renewal application — file no later than the start of year 9 to allow time for the court process.
- Judgment expiry — 10 years from the date of entry. This is your absolute backstop.
An employer Garnishee Summons generally expires two years after it is issued; a deposit-account summons expires after 60 days. If a summons expires before the judgment is satisfied, you need a new summons, and your writ and PPR registration must remain active.
What If the Judgment Has Already Expired?
If the 10-year period has passed without a renewal, your enforcement rights are extinguished. You cannot issue new garnishments, instruct bailiffs, or register against the debtor's property. Existing PPR registrations and land titles encumbrances should be discharged because they no longer have a valid underlying judgment.
There is no court application that can revive an expired judgment. This is a permanent loss — the single most expensive mistake a judgment creditor can make in Alberta's enforcement system.
The Complete Enforcement Timeline
Managing the 10-year validity and the two-year PPR cycle is part of a larger enforcement strategy that includes active collection efforts, interest tracking and regular debtor asset reviews. The Alberta Judgment Enforcement Guide includes a renewal tracker worksheet designed to keep both clocks visible alongside your enforcement activity log.
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