More Albertans are eligible for legal aid under new guidelines
More Albertans are eligible for legal representation from Legal Aid Alberta, thanks to new financial guidelines that are now in effect. As of April 1, individuals earning a net annual income of $25,346 (approximately $30,000 gross) may qualify for legal representation in eligible criminal, family and immigration cases. The income amounts for larger […]
Ask a Lawyer: What happens to pets during divorce proceedings?
Division of property is just one step of many for Alberta families in a divorce proceeding. You can split the couch, the car and the house, but what about the beloved pets? Does “pet custody” exist in the eyes of the court? This month on Ask a Lawyer: Legal Aid Alberta staff lawyers Sheila […]
Inspiring access: The women of Legal Aid Alberta
Celebrating the inspirational women of Legal Aid Alberta March 8 marks International Women’s Day, a global celebration recognizing women’s rights, achievements, and the advancement of equity and inclusion in our communities. This year’s theme, “Invest in women: Accelerate progress,” presents an opportunity to push for gender equality in our community and highlight the amazing […]
Ask a Lawyer: More low-income Albertans will be eligible for legal aid
Legal Aid Alberta’s Cameron Mitchell discusses upcoming changes to the financial eligibility guidelines beginning April 1 on this month’s segment of Ask a Lawyer A single mother employed as a retail store greeter seeking freedom from a controlling relationship. A young adult working in a local diner, with no support is accused of a […]
Legal Aid Alberta Financial Eligibility Guidelines will increase on April 1
Edmonton, AB — Starting April 1, more Albertans will be eligible for legal representation from Legal Aid Alberta. Today, the Alberta Ministry of Justice announced the Financial Eligibility Guidelines to qualify for a Legal Aid Alberta lawyer will increase effective April 1, 2024. Individuals applying for legal aid representation who earn up to $30,000 gross income may qualify […]
Reflecting on our role: Access to Justice Week in Alberta
For more than 50 years, LAA has been providing access to justice for Albertans in need of legal support. February 5 – 9 is Access to Justice Week in Alberta, sponsored by the Canadian Bar Association. For more than 50 years, Legal Aid Alberta has been a champion of access to justice. We take […]
Representing children in high-conflict divorce cases
Legal Aid Alberta’s Child Representation lawyers have special training to help them serve children and bring their desires and wishes to the court. A family breakup is among the most difficult challenges we can face. Emotions can run high as communication becomes clouded and bitter. In court, judges put the best interests of children […]
Ask a Lawyer: Dispelling myths about family court
Legal Aid Alberta staff lawyers Sheila Raffray and Jessica Chapman join Global News to clear up commonly held beliefs about how family courts work. The justice system is complicated. For people representing themselves in family court, misconceptions can lead to unrealistic expectations, compounding their challenges and leading to delays and frustrations. Legal Aid […]
2023 year in review: Top 5 milestones for Legal Aid Alberta
Here are five highlights from Legal Aid Alberta’s 50th year of providing access to justice for disadvantaged Albertans. The past 12 months have been special and eventful for Legal Aid Alberta. Here is a short – but by no means complete – list of highlights of 2023: 1. Legal Aid Alberta celebrates 50 years […]
Growing a career in access to justice
What do each of the Legal Aid Alberta Long Service Award recipients have in common? The answer: Passion for the law and helping people. Legal Aid Alberta is honouring 52 employees marking their 20, 25 and 30-year work anniversaries. We asked four team members about their journey and what drives their loyalty to the […]