December 5, 2024: While Tariff item 13.10 is called “Preparation for Trial,” its intended use is broader than just for trials in Court of Justice and Court of King’s Bench.
It can also be used for preparation for other types of oral hearings, such as:
Preparation time includes:
Tariff item 13.10 is billed per day where counsel is spending time in preparation, up to a maximum of eight hours per day. LAA expects that on average, counsel will require one day of preparation for each day of trial or oral hearing. Should counsel require more than this, they may request approval from the Assessment Team via Authorization Request (Tariff item 15.02 – Additional Hours – Civil Certificate).
Important! Be sure to bookmark Roster Resources – Legal Aid Alberta and reference the newest version of the Invoicing Guides, which are vital companions to the Tariff. More information can be found in the Family and Civil Tariff Invoicing Guide, found under “Support and Resources” at the link above.
For any questions about invoicing, please email our Certificate and Tariff Team at [email protected]. For other inquiries from roster members, see Get in Touch – Legal Aid Alberta.
LAA has introduced a standardized online form on our website for clients, roster lawyers and others to share their feedback about LAA services.
This form replaces the [email protected] email and will ensure the proper team reviews of submitted concerns, allowing for more efficient tracking and managing of feedback.
This represents an ongoing evolution of LAA’s commitment to ensuring quality of counsel and responsible stewardship of funds.
The Government of Alberta’s consultation sessions regarding legal aid services have now concluded, with a total of three sessions held over the past two to three weeks. The consultation also included the invitation to provide written submissions.
Participants in these sessions included representatives from Legal Aid Alberta, CDLA and CTLA, the Canadian Bar Association, Alberta Family Law Association, Alberta Law Foundation and the John Howard Society, among others. We note that the stakeholders were very engaged and came prepared. A central theme that ran through all sessions was the importance of maintaining the independence of Legal Aid Alberta operations as a foundational piece of access to justice for Albertans.
So, what happens now? The government has committed to providing all stakeholders with a summary of responses and any further steps in the new year. We will keep you updated on developments as they learn more.
