Tackling the cycle of addiction and crime
Legal Aid Alberta is playing an important role in Alberta’s therapeutic courts, supporting fairness in the criminal justice system Drug treatment courts across Alberta are literally saving lives, according to the LAA staff duty counsel lawyers who represent their clients through the therapeutic court – and to the clients themselves. “I was entrenched […]
Ask a Lawyer: Legal challenges when co-parenting during the summer
Legal Aid Alberta staff lawyer Sunaina Kakkar joined Global News Morning Edmonton to talk about the challenges co-parents face during the summer and how overseas travel works when parents are in conflict. Summer is officially here: For kids, this is a time for fun activities with friends and family, to try new and exciting […]
Advancing client advocacy: The crucial role of ongoing legal training and education
Legal Aid Alberta is working to ensure high-quality legal representation for parents and guardians involved in the child welfare system. Last month, more than 100 lawyers from across Alberta attended Legal Aid Alberta’s free full-day training session on child welfare law, learning how they can best support parents and guardians involved in the child […]
Ask a Lawyer: Healing and peacemaking at Edmonton Indigenous Court
Edmonton’s Indigenous court is an opportunity for healing, peacemaking and community support for Indigenous people in the justice system. Edmonton’s Indigenous court is distinct from your typical docket court – aside from the accused, defence counsel, prosecutor and judge, this court process also involves an Elder, a caseworker, an eagle staff and even a […]
Reconciliation and allyship: National Indigenous History Month
Legal Aid Alberta commemorates National Indigenous History Month by recognizing the history, heritage, resilience and diversity of Indigenous peoples in Canada. June is National Indigenous History Month. At Legal Aid Alberta, we are taking the time to recognize the history, heritage and resilience of the Indigenous peoples in Canada. We each play a part […]
Ask a Lawyer: Mental Health Court and the collaborative approach to justice
Mental Health Court is a specialized court that helps Albertans dealing with criminal charges and mental illness get the support they need. May 1-7 is Mental Health Week across Canada. It’s a time to raise awareness, spark dialogue and reduce the stigma behind mental health in communities. Part of that conversation also includes […]
Ask a Lawyer: Strengthening representation for parents in conflict with the child welfare system
Newly established legal group will ensure lawyers have “innate knowledge” of complex laws and court practices to ensure quality legal representation Protecting children in child welfare cases is always a priority, but not always easy to do as a parent involved in the child welfare system. Child welfare law can be complex and difficult […]
Increasing access to justice for Albertans
Alberta’s government is increasing the budget for legal aid by $40 million. At Legal Aid Alberta (LAA), we believe that access to justice is a fundamental right and that everyone should have access to quality legal representation. LAA is a publicly funded, non-profit organization that receives the bulk of its financial support from […]
Every woman counts at Legal Aid Alberta
International Women’s Day: 14 inspiring examples of LAA women standing up for access to justice Every year on March 8, Legal Aid Alberta joins organizations and nations across the world to celebrate International Women’s Day. This year’s theme is Every Woman Counts. At LAA, we are taking time to celebrate how women in the […]
Ask a Lawyer: Youth and crime
LAA lawyer Karen McGowan joined Global News Morning Edmonton to share advice for parents on what to do when your child is at risk of breaking the law. As a parent, it can be stressful when your child is headed in a problematic direction – even more so when they have been charged with […]