STEP 1
STEP 2
STEP 3
If you are an adult and your charge is a low-level criminal offence, LAA will refer you to our Duty Counsel Triage Program. This program helps you resolve your matter without needing a legal aid certificate (and a bill for legal services). If duty counsel cannot assist, they will assess whether imprisonment upon conviction is likely to determine if you’re eligible for a legal aid certificate.
If your charge is an indictable criminal offence (serious charges where imprisonment upon conviction is the usual outcome), LAA will send your matter as a certificate offer to your preferred counsel (or a counsel selected by LAA if you have no preference).
STEP 4
When you apply, you’ll be asked to provide the name of a preferred lawyer. To prepare, visit our Lawyer Directory. You can search by court location, area of law or languages spoken to find a Roster lawyer that is right for you.
LAA staff lawyers provide full representation but only accept certain types of cases; therefore, you may be connected with a roster lawyer.
The lawyer has 48 business hours to accept your certificate. Lawyers may decline due to availability, workload, or conflict of interest. LAA continues to offer the certificate until it is accepted.
STEP 5
STEP 1
If you are seeking assistance with family law matters, you can contact LAA by phone. You can also speak with a duty counsel lawyer at King’s Bench Family Docket Court in Edmonton and Calgary, as well as at 75 court locations across Alberta.
Please note: Duty counsel is available to assist you at the courthouse on the day of your scheduled appearance. Be sure to attend the correct court location and on the date listed on your court documents.
STEP 2
Due to changes in the court processes and a focus on mediation prior to taking court action, most clients applying for family matters are referred to free resolution services through the courthouse.
If free resolution services cannot resolve your issue, you may seek legal representation from Legal Aid Alberta.
LAA will ask you a few questions about your income, assets and expenses to confirm your financial eligibility. If you are an AISH recipient, you are generally considered eligible. However, all clients must have less than $120,000 in equity assets to qualify.
STEP 3
Once we’ve confirmed your financial eligibility, our assessment team will ask you to provide all relevant documents for review. The team will conduct a detailed review to determine service eligibility if you have complex family matters, such as spousal support, custody, or property division.
STEP 4
When you apply, you’ll be asked to provide the name of a preferred lawyer. To prepare, visit our Lawyer Directory. You can search by court location, area of law or languages spoken to find a Roster lawyer that is right for you.
LAA staff lawyers provide full representation but only accept certain types of cases; therefore, you may be connected with a roster lawyer.
The lawyer has 48 business hours to accept your certificate. Lawyers may decline due to availability, workload, or conflict of interest. LAA continues to offer the certificate until it is accepted.
STEP 5
Once a staff or roster lawyer accepts your certificate, LAA will email you the lawyer’s contact information. Please check your junk mail and spam folders. You and your lawyer can then contact one another. Often, your lawyer will reach out at your next court appearance or as soon as they are able.
From this point, you will work directly with your lawyer and do not need to contact LAA again unless:
STEP 1
If you need to apply for an Emergency Protection Order (EPO) due to family violence, contact us by phone or access services based on your location:
Note: If you are in immediate danger, contact the police.
STEP 2
No financial eligibility assessment is needed for initial EPO applications or EPO Review Hearings. Your safety is the priority.
If the Court schedules an Oral or Viva Voce Hearing after the Review Hearing, full legal representation is required and LAA’s financial eligibility guidelines will apply to both claimants and respondents.
LAA will ask you a few questions about your income, assets and expenses to confirm your financial eligibility. If you are an AISH recipient, you are generally considered eligible. However, all clients must have less than $120,000 in equity assets to qualify.
STEP 3
If you are in Edmonton and Calgary: When you contact Legal Aid Alberta, an intake officer or duty counsel lawyer will review your situation to confirm it meets the legal criteria for an Emergency Protection Order (EPO). This includes confirming that the parties are “family members,” that recent family violence has occurred, and that there is an urgent need for protection.
You will be asked for information and documents related to your situation, such as your relationship to the respondent, details of the violence, and any supporting evidence.
Duty counsel will help you complete the required EPO application forms. You may be asked to provide identification and any supporting documents or evidence.
Other areas in Alberta: If you apply in person at a courthouse, you will fill out the application provided by court staff. If you apply by phone through the Hearing Office, you will complete the online form.
Note: The application is typically processed promptly due to the urgent nature of EPOs, wherever you apply.
STEP 4
Your application will be heard by a judge or justice of the peace, usually the same day. You will participate in a hearing, either in person or by phone, to explain your situation.
STEP 5
If an Emergency Protection Order is granted, you will receive information at the hearing about the protections in place and the date for your mandatory review hearing at the Court of King’s Bench. This review hearing will be scheduled within nine working days from the date the EPO is granted.
To arrange for legal representation at your review hearing through LAA’s Emergency Protection Order Program (EPOP), have a copy of your EPO and know your court date, then call:
Note: In some areas, LAA EPOP will automatically receive a copy of your order, your review date, and your contact information from the court and will open a file for you. However, it is still a good idea to call yourself to confirm.
STEP 6
EPOP can provide legal representation and support at the review hearing. You will work directly with your assigned lawyer or duty counsel for any further steps.
You do not need to contact LAA again unless:
STEP 1
Contact us by phone if you need assistance with immigration matters, specifically refugee claims, detention, and admissibility reviews.
STEP 2
LAA will ask a few questions about your income, assets and expenses to confirm your financial eligibility. If you are an AISH recipient, you are generally considered eligible. However, all clients must have less than $120,000 in equity assets to qualify.
STEP 3
If you’re financially eligible, you will qualify for coverage as soon as your immigration file is sent to the Immigration and Refugee Board (IRB). There is no need to wait for a hearing date to be scheduled.
To determine your eligibility for our services, we’ll ask questions to confirm that your case has been sent to the IRB. If necessary, we may also ask you to provide any letters or documents related to your immigration matter.
STEP 4
When you apply, you’ll be asked to provide the name of a preferred lawyer. To prepare, visit our Lawyer Directory. You can search by court location, area of law or languages spoken to find a Roster lawyer that is right for you.
LAA staff lawyers provide full representation but only accept certain types of cases; therefore, you may be connected with a roster lawyer.
The lawyer has 48 business hours to accept your certificate. Lawyers may decline due to availability, workload, or conflict of interest. LAA continues to offer the certificate until it is accepted.
STEP 5
STEP 1
STEP 2
LAA will ask a few questions about your income, assets and expenses to confirm your financial eligibility. If you are an AISH recipient, you are generally considered eligible. However, all clients must have less than $120,000 in equity assets to qualify.
STEP 3
Once financial eligibility is confirmed, our staff lawyers will review your case to ensure it meets LAA’s criteria for civil matters.
STEP 4
When you apply, you’ll be asked to provide the name of a preferred lawyer. To prepare, visit our Lawyer Directory. You can search by court location, area of law or languages spoken to find a Roster lawyer that is right for you.
LAA staff lawyers provide full representation but only accept certain types of cases; therefore, you may be connected with a roster lawyer.
The lawyer has 48 business hours to accept your certificate. Lawyers may decline due to availability, workload, or conflict of interest. LAA continues to offer the certificate until it is accepted.
STEP 5
If you are dealing with matters under the Mental Health Act, you have access to duty counsel services as needed. You don’t need to apply to receive this service.
For more information about financial eligibility and application needs, please visit our Resources page.
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