Why Gladue principles matter and how Indigenous Courts are changing justice in Alberta
Reflecting on justice and reconciliation during National Indigenous History Month. June is National Indigenous History Month, a time to recognize the histories cultures and contributions of First Nations, Métis and Inuit peoples across Canada. It’s also an opportunity to reflect on how institutions, including the justice system, are responding to longstanding inequities. One of the most pressing challenges remains […]
TGO/PGO legal issue changes
Effective June 1, the current combined legal issue — Oppose Temporary Guardianship Order (TGO) / Oppose Permanent Guardianship Order (PGO) — will be separated into two distinct legal issues: Oppose Temporary Guardianship Order (TGO) Oppose Permanent Guardianship Order (PGO) Certificates will include only one of these legal issues, not both. To help clarify […]
Lawyer Portal outage after-hours on May 21
A routine outage to the Lawyer Portal is scheduled to begin at 5 p.m. on Thursday, May 21, and will run until 7 a.m. on Friday, May 22. This outage will allow for the implementation of a few minor enhancements to CRM and Lawyer Portal. What’s changing: New attestation form will be available under the Memberships tab as part of our quality […]
Reminder: Hotel expenditures for travel over 250 km
When travel for LAA services requires overnight accommodation, and your destination is 250 km or more from your Lawyer Courthouse, please keep in mind the most cost-effective means when selecting accommodations. As per section 9 of the Travel and Disbursement Guidelines, before booking, consider: Prevailing market rates for similar accommodations in the area; Proximity […]
Quality standards for roster lawyers in Siksika Nation
LAA is committed to improving access to culturally informed legal services for Indigenous clients and Indigenous people and communities engaging with the justice system. As part of this work, LAA is introducing service requirements and standards, effective June 15, 2026, for roster lawyers who accept certificates for criminal, child welfare and family matters at the Siksika Nation courthouse. […]
You can’t pour from an empty cup: Mental health awareness for Alberta’s criminal defence, family and immigration lawyers
May is Mental Health Awareness Month — and if you practise criminal defence, family law or immigration and refugee law, this is for you. The legal profession prizes resilience, analytical thinking, emotional control and a relentless focus on clients. But behind that professional armour, the impact is real. Lawyers experience mental health challenges at more than three times the rate of the general population, and substance use issues […]
How Legal Aid Alberta supports people through Mental Health Court
Mental Health Week runs May 4 to 10 and is a timely reminder that mental health touches every corner of our lives, including the justice system. People with mental illnesses are overrepresented in the Canadian justice system, and when someone navigating a mental health crisis finds themselves involved in a legal issue, the experience can be […]
Who gets custody of the pets in a divorce in Alberta?
Most people consider pets part of the family, but the law says otherwise. Legal Aid Alberta lawyers Sheila Raffray and Chuck Easton explain. Division of property and assets is an essential step in a divorce proceeding. Things can get more complicated when children and custody arrangements are involved. But what happens to pets? […]
How does bail work in Alberta?
Albertans are innocent until proven guilty. But upon arrest, and prior to having their day in court, they are at a distinct disadvantage. What does it mean to be “out on bail?” We hear it all the time in movies, but most Albertans are unsure of their rights and how to exercise them […]
Schedule-based duty counsel invoicing
Delays in submitting duty counsel invoices have a significant impact on Legal Aid Alberta’s ability to manage its financial operations and provide accurate, timely financial reporting. Administrative Policy 5 (section 6.15) states that “LAA may attach a condition to a duty counsel certificate that requires a lawyer to submit an account sooner than the deadline […]