Duty Counsel will provide information, guidance, and advice to you prior to your appearance, and can make representations to the court on your behalf.  Keep in mind, because Duty Counsel help people who are unrepresented at their first court appearance only, they only offer limited basic services.  Should you require full representation by a lawyer for the remainder of your case, Duty Counsel may direct to you apply for legal aid (or hire a lawyer privately).

Legal Aid Alberta assigns Duty Counsel to following docket courts throughout Alberta:

• Criminal docket courts (Adult & Youth)
• Judicial Interim Release Hearings (aka “bail hearings” – Calgary and Edmonton only)
• Provincial Courts; to assist people seeking Emergency Protection Orders (EPO)
• Court of Queens Bench; to assist people involved with the confirmation of Emergency Protection Orders (EPO)
• Family docket courts (Calgary and Edmonton only)
• Child Welfare docket courts (Calgary and Edmonton only)
• PChAD (Protection of Children Abusing Drugs) matters
• Mental Health Review Panel Hearings

In most locations, Duty Counsel is generally available before the opening of the court and will stay to assist unrepresented accused as long as docket court;

1. sits that day or,
2. until they have determined that their services are no longer required, whichever comes first 

Duty Counsel’s first priority is to assist accused persons that are in custody.