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 […]
Ask a Lawyer: National Duty Counsel Day can be a powerful tool for those heading to court
Legal Aid Alberta staff lawyer Sean Smith shares the significance of knowing your rights and the crucial role of duty counsel in Canada Stepping into a courtroom can feel like entering a whole new world, filled with unfamiliar language and uncertainty. Whether you’re facing a criminal charge, dealing with a family issue, or […]
How to deal with a rejected authorization request
At times, Legal Aid Alberta must reject an authorization request due to lack of information. When this occurs, the comment section will outline to counsel what is missing. Counsel should then re-submit their request with all the information provided in the earlier request and add the missing data. If seeking more clarity about the rejected […]
LAA welcomes new roster members through enhanced onboarding
Key takeaways of LAA’s new enhanced onboarding for roster include: Enhanced onboarding includes a more detailed application and a brief information exchange. LAA is in the process of contacting more than 30 applicants who have expressed interest in joining the roster over the last few months. Since the summer, more than 30 lawyers […]
Legal Aid Alberta announces early closure Sept. 29 for National Day for Truth and Reconciliation
Legal Aid Alberta allows employees time for learning and reflection to honour residential school survivors on National Day for Truth and Reconciliation. In recognition of National Day for Truth and Reconciliation on September 30, Legal Aid Alberta offices will close early to the public on Friday, September 29 to allow our teams to participate in an […]
Gladue principles and factors: What you need to know
R. v. Gladue established guidelines for courts when dealing with Indigenous people If you identify as an Indigenous person and find yourself charged with a criminal offence, the Court must consider these Gladue Principles and the Gladue Factors that apply to you. Be sure to ask your lawyer, duty counsel, or Indigenous court […]
New roster lawyers to attend first ever onboarding interviews
Legal Aid Alberta is pleased to announce that we are welcoming new counsel onto our roster through a new and enhanced onboarding process. LAA recognizes that our onboarding process was not as fulsome as it could and should be. At the application stage, new counsel joining our roster will now be provided with information that […]