Edmonton courts are struggling with a shortage of judges.

"We're scrambling all the time trying to deal with cases," says Associate Chief Justice John Rooke.

'A lot of juggling' is how the courts in Edmonton are managing with a shortage of judges, said Associate Chief Justice John Rooke on Tuesday. (Alberta Law Society) There are six vacancies, four in Edmonton and two in Calgary, on Alberta's Court of Queen's Bench.

"We're certainly less than optimum in our ability to offer justice," Rooke said Tuesday.

Neil Wittmann, chief justice of the Court of Queen's Bench of Alberta told CBC News last October that the province's courts are "literally at the breaking point," due to the shortage of available judges.

In January, Wittmann released a report detailing how existing judicial staff are working "well beyond capacity."

In Edmonton, half-day matters in special chambers are being booked into December 2016.

On the criminal side, a trial of one week or less is being booked into February 2017, with those expected to run longer than a week being booked into April 2017.

No recent delays in Edmonton

In the past month, the courts have not been forced to delay any trials, Rooke said.

However, there have been delays in the past due to the lack of judges, he added.

In Calgary, at least two sexual assault trials have recently been postponed.

There are many qualified people who have applied and could be appointed right away, said criminal lawyer D'Arcy DePoe. (CBC)

The judge shortage means an accused person will spend longer periods in custody, while fading memories for witnesses make cases more difficult to prosecute, said D'Arcy DePoe, past president of the Edmonton Criminal Trial Lawyer's Association.

"Trials are not of the same quality than if they were taking place within a reasonable time," DePoe said. "Cases are in jeopardy of being dismissed simply because of the long delays."

Federal minister promises appointments

Federal Justice Minister Jody Wilson-Raybould said Tuesday she will use the existing judicial appointments process to fill several critical vacancies on Canada's superior courts.

Speaking to a parliamentary committee of MPs, Wilson-Raybould said she understands some courts cannot wait for the conclusion of her review of how judges are appointed in Canada.

The minister has been under pressure to explain why she still hasn't named a single judge, six months into her mandate despite critical shortages of judges in key centres across the country.

There are many qualified people who have applied and who could be appointed right away, DePoe said.

"It's not necessary to totally revamp the process before they appoint anybody because there are qualified candidates on which reasonable people can agree," DePoe added. "That would go a long way to alleviate the problems that we're experiencing right now."

(with files from Janice Johnston and Robson Fletcher)