Protecting Alberta families: Providing legal protection for victims of domestic violence in all its forms
Domestic violence isn’t just physical – and the telltale signs are not always clear. Legal Aid Alberta lawyers are here to provide legal protection for victims of domestic violence in all its forms Family violence is an unfortunate reality for many Albertans – and it happens every day. Awareness of what constitutes abuse is […]
Ask a Lawyer: Family Violence Prevention
Legal Aid Alberta staff lawyers Jessica Chapman and Ruth Williams join Global News Morning Edmonton to shed light on family violence, the overlaps for those in immigration matters and the supports available. November is Family Violence Prevention Month. It can happen to anyone, and it’s important to work together to spread awareness, educate and […]
How to handle charges for legal documents in Alberta
Roster lawyers handling family cases often require legal documents like marriage certificates, birth certificates, land titles, and personal property registries. This raises a common question: How are Government of Alberta charges billed? To enhance invoicing efficiency and simplify the process, these charges should be categorized as “Court Searches” billable under 17.15, rather than special […]
Legal Aid Alberta’s Path Forward: Quality. Access. Accountability.
This year Legal Aid Alberta is marking 50 years of helping Albertans facing legal challenges. As we pass this 50th milestone, we’ve reflected on our role in Alberta and updated our Strategic Plan. The essence of the plan comes down to just three words: Quality. Access. Accountability. Quality: Provide access to effective counsel. Access: Make legal services easy to access […]
Answers to three common questions about the duty counsel role
While criminal duty counsel (DC) performs damage control to assist accused persons until they can obtain counsel, their role is more complex. Practically speaking, DC lawyers ensure the smooth operation of the court system. This means that duty counsel is not there just to adjourn matters but can and should seek appropriate resolution whenever possible. […]
October 27 is Duty Counsel Day in the Classroom
More than 1,700 students in schools across Canada are learning about Duty Counsel Day, their legal rights, and the justice system. This week, junior and senior high school students across Canada are learning about their legal rights and how front-line lawyers called duty counsel protect Canadians and keep the justice system functioning. […]
Duty Counsel: First Line of Defence
Regardless of your income, LAA duty counsel are on the spot in provincial docket courts in Alberta to help you make informed decisions Legal trouble doesn’t discriminate. Anyone can suddenly find themselves in a courtroom wondering what to say or do next. Without understanding the law and court procedures, you’re at a definite disadvantage. […]
Remember to input your Duty Counsel stats in Lawyer Portal
Statistics collected by staff and roster duty counsel are important and functional. Not only does this information allow Legal Aid Alberta to scan the provincial legal landscape correctly, but it also informs our work planning process. For example, accurate statistics help us identify where we need additional duty counsel boots on the ground. This […]
Duty counsel: The unsung heroes of the justice system
Oct. 27 is a day to honour staff and roster lawyers who support Albertans on the frontlines of the justice system In busy courthouses around Alberta, dedicated Legal Aid Alberta staff and roster lawyers provide invaluable duty counsel services to Albertans facing criminal or family legal problems. These passionate lawyers have made it […]
Legal Aid Alberta offers a free webinar for parents and youth on teen crime on Oct. 4
Legal Aid Alberta staff lawyer on 630CHED to discuss upcoming webinar on teens and crime Whether it’s a matter of poor judgment or something more serious, teen crime has always been a social challenge. Canada’s Youth Criminal Justice Act ensures swift legal action so that young people facing criminal charges clearly understand the connection […]