LAA introduces Brydges service
after the landmark Brydges case decision in the Supreme Court of Canada. The phone line is active 24 hours a day, seven days a week to provide brief legal advice to people under arrest.
The compiled list of events were collected through archives, newspapers, old annual reports and interviews with Legal Aid Alberta employees.
LAA introduces Brydges service
after the landmark Brydges case decision in the Supreme Court of Canada. The phone line is active 24 hours a day, seven days a week to provide brief legal advice to people under arrest.
LAA hires staff lawyers
for the first time and are based out of Edmonton and Calgary. Staff lawyers are employed full-time by LAA while roster lawyers are private practice lawyers who take legal aid cases.
Changes to funding model
The Government of Alberta determines that the Alberta Law Foundation will contribute 25 per cent of their income on lawyers' trust accounts to support legal aid services in Alberta.
Youth Court Staff Lawyer project begins
to meet growing and special needs of youth offenders.
Duty counsel services enhanced
as the first Staff Duty Counsel Program gets off the ground.
LAA introduces application fee
of $10 for clients, resulting in abandoned applications or waived fees if clients are without representation. The fee would be rescinded in 2001.
Material republished with the express permission of: Edmonton Journal/Calgary Herald, a division of Postmedia Network Inc
20% funding cut affects operations
and results in staffing cuts and salary and benefit rollbacks.
LAA takes on Emergency Protection Order services for the first time
in response to Alberta’s new Protection Against Family Violence Act. EPOs become available in Edmonton via duty counsel.
LAA rescinds application fee
LAA ends its application fee policies for Albertans.
Family law offices open
in Red Deer, Edmonton and Calgary.
Triparite governance agreement signed
Legal Aid Alberta becomes an equal party to sign the Legal Aid Governance Agreement along with the Government of Alberta and Law Society of Alberta.
Emergency Protection Order Program begins
operations in Edmonton through the Family Law Office.
Law phone line opens
as a pilot project providing Albertans with a centralized, easy-to-access source for free legal information, referrals and brief legal advice.
First president and CEO named
Jacqueline Schaffter becomes LAA’s first President and CEO.
Justice of the Peace Bail pilot program begins
offering free legal representation for Albertans held in custody and applying for bail.