Updating availability
Delays in appointing counsel can contribute to court delays, uncertainty for clients and unequal access to justice. Keeping your availability status up to date can mitigate these delays and ensure our clients get the help they need in a timely manner. If you are on leave or have a planned vacation coming up, use the […]
Ask a Lawyer: What happens to pets during divorce proceedings?
Division of property is just one step of many for Alberta families in a divorce proceeding. You can split the couch, the car and the house, but what about the beloved pets? Does “pet custody” exist in the eyes of the court? This month on Ask a Lawyer: Legal Aid Alberta staff lawyers Sheila […]
News: Financial Eligibility Guidelines Changes
On Monday, April 1, Legal Aid Alberta’s Financial Eligibility Guidelines will be increasing. The primary impact for roster lawyers is that more Albertans will be eligible for legal aid funding, resulting in a larger pool of certificates in the long run. Over the next few weeks, however, the more immediate impact is likely to be […]
Merit Opinions: What Are We Looking For?
LAA is seeking the background information that you have as trial counsel so that we can determine if there is merit to fund an appeal for the matter. Our staff lawyers make the final determination on merit for every appeal file, but the information in your opinions helps us know what issues were at play […]
Reminder: Gladue Report requests must be submitted online
A friendly reminder from Legal Aid Alberta’s representatives on the Gladue Report Committee that effective April 1, 2024, only electronic requests will be accepted for Gladue reports submitted by Counsel. Please use the online Gladue Request Form. Once submitted online, this form is automatically forwarded to the appropriate offices for processing. This form is the only method to […]
Changes to LAA’s Financial Eligibility Guidelines
On Monday, April 1, Legal Aid Alberta’s Financial Eligibility Guidelines will be increasing. The primary impact for roster lawyers is that more Albertans will be eligible for legal aid funding, resulting in a larger pool of certificates in the long run. Over the next few weeks, however, the more immediate impact is likely to be an increase […]
#InvestInWomen: International Women’s Day
Every year, International Women’s Day is celebrated on March 8; this year’s theme is Invest in women: Accelerate Progress. At Legal Aid Alberta, we are enriched by the hundreds of women who work with us as roster lawyers and staff lawyers. Their expertise and unwavering commitment to access to justice for all Albertans changes lives […]
When child welfare matters intersect with criminal matters
On occasion, some Child Welfare clients face criminal charges that involve allegations of harming the children of the relationship. These charges could include sexual interference, assault or failure to provide the necessaries of life, among others. If the client is maintaining their innocence and intending to plead not guilty, they would be proceeding to a criminal trial. You may […]
Inspiring access: The women of Legal Aid Alberta
Celebrating the inspirational women of Legal Aid Alberta March 8 marks International Women’s Day, a global celebration recognizing women’s rights, achievements, and the advancement of equity and inclusion in our communities. This year’s theme, “Invest in women: Accelerate progress,” presents an opportunity to push for gender equality in our community and highlight the amazing […]
Ask a Lawyer: More low-income Albertans will be eligible for legal aid
Legal Aid Alberta’s Cameron Mitchell discusses upcoming changes to the financial eligibility guidelines beginning April 1 on this month’s segment of Ask a Lawyer A single mother employed as a retail store greeter seeking freedom from a controlling relationship. A young adult working in a local diner, with no support is accused of a […]