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 […]

Spousal support considerations

Many clients seek coverage for obtaining spousal support; however, every client brings a unique and potentially complicated broader context that must be considered when deciding on a path forward. For example, in addition to evaluating the client’s set of circumstances for their entitlement on a compensatory and non-compensatory basis for spousal support, Legal Aid Alberta also reviews […]

Students-at-law: Updating your information

A friendly reminder to all students-at-law to get in touch with us at [email protected] when: you leave your firm for any reason, you are being supervised by a new principal, or you are admitted to the Bar. Timely updates of your profile will let us know if our Roster Relations team needs to reach out […]

Legal Aid Alberta Financial Eligibility Guidelines will increase on April 1

LAA employee walking through the halls at the Legal Aid Alberta office

Edmonton, AB — Starting April 1, more Albertans will be eligible for legal representation from Legal Aid Alberta. Today, the Alberta Ministry of Justice announced the Financial Eligibility Guidelines to qualify for a Legal Aid Alberta lawyer will increase effective April 1, 2024. Individuals applying for legal aid representation who earn up to $30,000 gross income may qualify […]

Reflecting on our role: Access to Justice Week in Alberta

Graphic with Legal Aid Alberta logo in the background. IN the foregrounds are the words "Word of the Day, Access to Justice, noun, everyone has a fair chance to solve their legal problems. It's about ensuring that people can understand and use the legal systems and protect their rights without facing unnecessary obstacles.

For more than 50 years, LAA has been providing access to justice for Albertans in need of legal support.   February 5 – 9 is Access to Justice Week in Alberta, sponsored by the Canadian Bar Association. For more than 50 years, Legal Aid Alberta has been a champion of access to justice. We take […]