Roster Update

A note to our valued roster lawyers about the Roster Agreement:
What to expect after May 1

April 26, 2022 – Access to justice is reliant on having a strong, sustainable legal aid system. Strategic improvements to business processes ensures we can continue to provide Albertans with affordable, high-quality legal services.

One such improvement, introduced a year ago, is the LAA Roster Agreement. The LAA Roster Agreement is a contract that helps eliminate any uncertainties about your legal relationship with LAA. It does not change the LAA Tariff or the policies that already govern your conduct as a roster lawyer.

Since it was introduced last spring, almost 1,200 roster lawyers have signed, confirming their commitment to take on new LAA files.

Measures in place to protect clients

We have received some questions from roster lawyers about how not signing the Roster Agreement could affect them. As you know, roster lawyers who do not sign the agreement by May 1, 2022 will be removed from the roster and will not be offered new certificates. Measures are in place to ensure there is no impact on clients.

If you wish to continue with your active LAA certificates after May 1

• You may continue representing clients in matters covered by your active certificates and keep access to Lawyer Portal as required.
• We will work with you over the next 12 months to manage appointment of counsel on new charges for clients who have an active certificate.
• LAA wishes to minimize impact on clients during this transition period and will provide further instructions to counsel on a case-by-case basis moving forward from May 1, 2022.

If you do not wish to continue acting on LAA certificates after May 1

• Please submit an authorization request for a Change of Counsel as soon as possible.

Rejoin the roster

If you wish to receive new certificate offers again, you can choose to rejoin the roster any time and sign the Roster Agreement.

Everything we do at LAA helps support Albertans as they face some of the most challenging times in their lives. This is an impactful responsibility. Thanks for being a member of the roster and for your valued partnership in providing access to justice for Albertans. Together, we help some of Alberta’s most disadvantaged citizens.

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