EDMONTON, ALBERTA — Alberta’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. Khullar died on September 3, 2026, surrounded by members of her family.
Khullar was 62 and had built a distinguished career spanning private legal practice and the judiciary. Before becoming a judge, she spent more than two decades in private practice and developed particular expertise in public law, including labour and employment, privacy, administrative, human rights and constitutional law.
Key Details
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Full name | Honourable Ritu Khullar |
| Age | 62 |
| Date of death | September 3, 2026 |
| Location | Alberta, Canada |
| Position at death | Chief Justice of Alberta |
| Additional roles | Chief Justice of the Courts of Appeal of Alberta, Nunavut and Northwest Territories |
| Private legal practice | More than two decades |
| Court of King’s Bench appointment | March 2017 |
| Courts of Appeal appointment | 2018 |
| Appointed Chief Justice | November 28, 2022 |
| Legal areas | Labour and employment, privacy, administrative, human rights and constitutional law |
| Remembered for | Justice, compassion, thoughtfulness, leadership and public service |
| Cause of death | Not stated |
| Family | Survived by family; further details not available |
| Funeral/memorial arrangements | Not available |
Khullar joined the Court of King’s Bench of Alberta in March 2017 before being appointed a year later to the Courts of Appeal of Alberta, Nunavut and the Northwest Territories. Her judicial career was marked by an emphasis on the human consequences of legal decisions and the administration of justice.
On November 28, 2022, she was appointed Chief Justice of Alberta and Chief Justice of the three territorial and provincial Courts of Appeal. The Court of Appeal said she regarded those positions as the greatest privilege and honour of her professional life.
The Alberta court described Khullar as deeply committed to public service and to strengthening public trust and confidence in the justice system. Colleagues remembered her as a thoughtful and compassionate jurist who approached her responsibilities with principle and diligence.
Her death represents a significant loss for Alberta’s judiciary, the legal profession and the communities served by the courts. The cause of death has not been publicly stated in the official court remembrance.
The legal community continues to remember Chief Justice Ritu Khullar for her distinguished career, leadership and dedication to public service.