Ritu Khullar Obituary: Alberta Chief Justice Dies as Canadian Legal Community Mourns Respected Jurist

Alberta Chief Justice Ritu Khullar Dies

EDMONTON, Alta. — Canada's legal community is mourning the death of the Honourable Ritu Khullar, Chief Justice of Alberta and Chief Justice of the Courts of Appeal of Alberta, Nunavut and the Northwest Territories.

The Court of Appeal of Alberta officially announced that Khullar died on Thursday, September 3, 2026.

The court said she was surrounded by family members at the time of her passing.

Her death brings to a close a distinguished legal and judicial career that included more than two decades in private practice followed by service at some of the highest levels of Canada's judiciary.

More Than Two Decades in Legal Practice

Before joining the bench, Khullar spent more than 20 years working in private legal practice.

Her work focused extensively on public-law matters, including labour and employment law, privacy, administrative law, human rights and constitutional law.

The Court of Appeal of Alberta remembered her as a highly regarded lawyer whose approach combined legal intellect with thoughtfulness and compassion.

Those qualities would later become central to her work as a judge.

Ritu Khullar's Judicial Career

Khullar was appointed to what is now the Court of King's Bench of Alberta in March 2017.

Her time at the trial court was relatively brief before another major advancement in her judicial career.

In 2018, she was appointed to the Courts of Appeal of Alberta, Nunavut and the Northwest Territories.

As an appellate judge, Khullar was responsible for considering significant legal disputes and reviewing decisions from lower courts and tribunals.

Her colleagues remembered her as a jurist who remained conscious that judicial decisions affected real people and their lives.

Appointed Chief Justice of Alberta in 2022

Khullar reached another historic stage of her career on November 28, 2022, when she was appointed Chief Justice of Alberta.

The appointment also made her Chief Justice of the Courts of Appeal of the Northwest Territories and Nunavut.

She succeeded Catherine Fraser, who had retired earlier in 2022.

As Chief Justice, Khullar assumed a leadership role not only in deciding cases but also in the administration of justice across Alberta and Canada's North.

She emphasized the importance of maintaining public confidence and trust in courts and the justice system.

Legal Community Pays Tribute to Ritu Khullar

Khullar's passing has generated tributes throughout Canada's legal community.

The Court of King's Bench of Alberta remembered her as a distinguished jurist and leader, highlighting her intellectual rigour, integrity and connection to her Alberta roots.

Legal organizations and officials have also recognized her contributions to Canadian law and the judiciary.

Her colleagues at the Court of Appeal described the loss as both professional and personal, remembering Khullar as their leader, colleague and friend.

Public Condolence Books Opened in Alberta

Following Khullar's death, the Court of Appeal announced that condolence books would be made available to members of the legal profession and the general public.

In Edmonton, a condolence book was placed at the Law Courts at 1A Sir Winston Churchill Square.

Condolence books were also made available at locations in Calgary.

The court invited members of the public and legal profession to share messages of sympathy and remembrance.

The initiative provides an opportunity for those affected by Khullar's passing to recognize her years of service and express condolences to her family and colleagues.

Medical Leave Announced Earlier in 2026

In January 2026, the Court of Appeal announced that Chief Justice Khullar was taking medical leave following surgery during the holiday period.

Justice Dawn Pentelechuk was appointed Acting Chief Justice during Khullar's absence.

While reports outside the court have discussed Khullar's health, the Court of Appeal's official death announcement does not state a specific cause of death.

Accordingly, a particular medical condition should not be presented as her confirmed cause of death unless that information is officially disclosed by her family or another authoritative source.

Remembering Chief Justice Ritu Khullar

Ritu Khullar leaves behind a significant record of service within Alberta and Canada's broader legal system.

Her career extended from private legal practice into the judiciary and ultimately to leadership of Alberta's highest court and the appellate courts of Nunavut and the Northwest Territories.

Throughout that career, she worked across areas including constitutional law, human rights, administrative law, privacy, labour and employment law.

Her colleagues particularly emphasized her commitment to ensuring that the administration of justice maintained the confidence of the people it served.

The Court of Appeal's tribute reflects the professional and personal impact of her passing on those who worked alongside her.

As judges, lawyers, court employees and members of the public remember her life, Ritu Khullar's legacy remains connected to decades of legal work, judicial service and leadership within Canada's justice system.

Condolences are extended to Chief Justice Khullar's family, friends, colleagues and everyone mourning her passing.