November 21, 2024: Legal Aid Alberta is introducing a standardized online form on our website for clients, roster lawyers and others to share their feedback about LAA services.
November 7, 2024: Legal Aid Alberta’s staff and roster lawyers, along with their support staff, work tirelessly to ensure that disadvantaged Albertans are able to enjoy their legal rights and the freedoms guaranteed under The Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms, we recognize that these liberties have come at a cost.
Apply now to join the duty counsel roster
October 24, 2024: Legal Aid Alberta has opened applications for roster criminal duty counsel. We are looking to add to our current DC complement, especially with lawyers whose primary court location is in or near underserved rural communities.
Ministry-led consultation on legal aid
October 18, 2024: This week, Ministry of Justice shared its plans for a legal aid consultation involving key justice system partners, including Legal Aid Alberta.
Refresher: Be aware of the immigration consequence criminal matters can have on clients
October 10, 2024: This summary is to help criminal defence counsel understand the main problems that arise when clients who are not Canadian citizens are criminally charged or convicted.
Client recoveries: A roster lawyer’s obligation
September 26, 2024: This is a reminder that Legal Aid Alberta clients must pay their LAA legal fees before receiving funds from their legal matters. LAA roster lawyers are critical to ensuring this occurs.
Lawyer Portal restored; Multi-factor login required
September 23, 2024: We are pleased to inform you that the scheduled maintenance has been completed, and all systems, including the Lawyer Portal and DC Portal, are now fully operational.
September 12, 2024: Some of Legal Aid Alberta’s central technology systems, including the Lawyer Portal, will be temporarily unavailable or have limited functionality from 6 p.m. on Wednesday, Sept. 18, through to 7 a.m. on Monday, Sept. 23.
New Legal Aid Agreement reached
September 4, 2024: The Government of Alberta, Legal Aid Alberta and the Law Society of Alberta have finalized a new long-term governance agreement.
Important: Scheduled systems maintenance in September – what you need to know
August 29, 2024: Some of Legal Aid Alberta’s central technology systems, including the Lawyer Portal, will be temporarily unavailable or have limited functionality from 6 p.m. on Wednesday, Sept. 18, through to 7 a.m. on Monday, Sept. 23.
Coverage for prison issues; How to join the Lawyer Directory
August 15, 2024: Learn more about the extensive coverage Legal Aid Alberta provides on matters affecting incarcerated individuals.
Governance Agreement discussions update; What to do when a client is facing new charges
August 1, 2024: Update on continuing Governance Agreement discussions.
Governance Agreement Respecting Legal Aid Extended, Negotiations to Resume
July 5, 2024: The Minister of Justice, Legal Aid Alberta and the Law Society of Alberta agree to extend the recently expired Governance Agreement until September 5, 2024.
Roster Update on Expired Governance Agreement
July 4, 2024: As of now, we have not received any official information from the Government of Alberta regarding the status of the current Governance Agreement.
July 2, 2024: A notice to our valued Roster Lawyers regarding Governance Agreement expiration.
New Gladue report validation requirements; Lawyer Portal outage and DC Portal bug fixes
June 27, 2024: New requirement to submit Gladue reports when invoicing; Lawyer Portal outage July 5.
Gladue principles decision; Lawyer Directory goes live June 17
June 13, 2024: A recent Alberta Court of Appeals decision related to Gladue principles; Lawyer Directory goes live this Monday.
Lawyer Directory launches June 17; Advising LAA of outcomes
May 30, 2024: Lawyer Directory will be launching June 17; notes on advising LAA of final outcomes of matters.
Lawyer Directory; Lawyer Portal Outage
May 16, 2024: Opt in to the new Lawyer Directory today; Lawyer Portal will be down from May 25 to 27.
Time reporting; Immigration webinar
May 2, 2024: Tips for effective time reporting; register now for May 16’s immigration workshop.
Happy Charter Day; Introducing our South Roster Relations Liaison
April 18, 2024 – Marking the 42nd anniversary of the signing of the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms; Announcing our new Roster Relations Liaison for Southern Alberta.
April 4, 2024 – April 1 marks the first anniversary of LAA’s modernized Tariff; roster lawyers appointed King’s Counsel; a reminder to update availabilities, and the new FEG is now in effect.
FEG Changes; Merit opinions; Gladue report requests
March 21, 2024 – Answers to common questions about the FEG changes and merit opinions, and a reminder that Gladue report requests will soon be online only.
#InvestInWomen: International Women’s Day; Child welfare intersecting criminal matters
March 7, 2024 – Thank you to the women on our roster who act as accelerators of progress and inclusion every day; considerations when child welfare intersects a criminal matter
Spousal support considerations; students-at-law information updates
February 22, 2024 – Considering the broader context when a client is seeking spousal support; a reminder to students-at-law to update your information at career milestones.
Translation and Interpretation Services; The Roots of Duty Counsel in Alberta
February 8, 2024 – Tariff tips regarding translation and interpretation; how roster lawyers and LAA teamed up fifty years ago to make Duty Counsel available in Alberta.
Family tariff tips; Client management
January 25, 2024 – What the tariff has to say about Voice of the Child (PN7) reports; tips for navigating challenging client relationships.
Have your say: Looking ahead to 2024
January 11, 2024 – Fill out a short survey to help us tailor our content to your needs in the coming year.
