All standard child welfare certificates include the following condition: “This certificate does not cover proceedings on any renewed or additional applications pursuant to the Child, Youth and Family Enhancement Act.”
Counsel is not eligible to bill for work on more than one child welfare application under the same certificate. If a lawyer exceeds the scope of certificate coverage, the certificate may be subject to a compliance review.
The rule is one application per certificate, whether for a temporary guardianship order (TGO) or a permanent guardianship order (PGO). Counsel is requested to submit a final invoice promptly upon completion of the matter. This helps ensure that, if the client reapplies, intake specialists can clearly determine that a new certificate is required.
In most cases, once a TGO or PGO is granted, final billing should be submitted. An exception applies when the justice orders a review date, including a review of judicial dispute resolution (JDR), on the TGO. In these cases, counsel must provide Legal Aid Alberta with a copy of the order as soon as possible, along with a status update that includes the review date and the expected date for the final invoice.
If the director amends a TGO application to a PGO application, counsel may continue on the file, provided the TGO application has not been concluded. When an application is amended, counsel is expected to notify Certificate Management by email.
If a change of counsel is required, counsel must submit an authorization request that includes a status update and the next court date, if applicable. Child welfare matters are a high priority for LAA, and support from roster counsel in ensuring clients have appropriate coverage and up‑to‑date information is essential.
LAA recognizes the dedication of its staff and roster counsel in supporting clients in this important area of law.