Qualifying

Through this application, you may still be able to receive a lawyer from Legal Aid Alberta even if you do not meet the eligibility criteria. Roster lawyers are practice practice lawyers who play a crucial role in serving disadvantaged Albertans, especially in remote communities. If your court case is in a different province/territory you need to contact the local legal aid program of that province/territory. Duty counsel is typically found at the courthouse and most often speak to clients before their court appearance. We are not able to provide a lawyer if you haven’t yet been formally charged by the police. All Albertans qualify to have a legal aid lawyer speak for them at a bail hearing at no cost. Duty counsel lawyers are your voice in a system that can seem complex, adversarial and overwhelming. All clients must re-pay Legal Aid Alberta for their lawyer’s services. For most legal issues, legal aid representation is not free but will cost much less than a private practice lawyer. We do provide some free legal services to all Albertans, regardless of income. Legal aid is essential to society to protect access to justice. Answering questions about how we protect access to justice in Alberta. Legal Aid Alberta reviews all concerns in a timely, fair and sensitive manner, respecting the privacy of all parties. Join us in helping to protect Albertans’ legal rights. She has also taught law-based courses at SAIT, Mount Royal University and has instructed with the Canadian Centre for Professional Legal Education (CPLED). Tamar currently serves on the boards of Calgary Economic Development and the PREP Society, contributes to the advisory committee at the Southern Alberta Institute of Technology (SAIT), and is active with the International Bar Association. Tamar is General Counsel and Corporate Secretary at Vermilion Energy and brings more than twenty years of experience in legal practice and governance to Legal Aid Alberta.

answers to common questions about how legal aid works in Alberta

• Yes, some legal aid services are free for all Albertans.
• Often, your lawyer will reach out at your next court appearance or as soon as they are able.
• Ultimately Legal Aid Alberta has final discretion in providing your lawyer.
• If duty counsel cannot assist, they will assess whether imprisonment upon conviction is likely to determine if you’re eligible for a legal aid certificate.
• We resolve legal problems for disadvantaged Albertans and, in doing so, protect the Rule of Law for the benefit of everyone.
• Clint’s board experience spans various international and subsidiary corporate boards, as well as non-profit organizations, including serving as an Audit Committee Chair.
• Duty counsel lawyers are available by phone and in courtrooms to provide brief legal advice to Albertans regardless of income.
• You can apply for coverage on a new legal issue even if you have an outstanding bill with us for a previous matter.
• To determine your eligibility for our services, we’ll ask questions to confirm that your case has been sent to the IRB.

Legal Aid Alberta lawyers charge a reduced hourly rate, plus any applicable fees. Not unlike applying for income assistance, a mortgage or a student loan, there is a process to determine eligibility. We also provided almost 125,000 duty counsel assists and received 87,000 calls to our Contact Centre. We’re lawyers who serve the unrepresented and people of limited means. This program helps you resolve your matter without needing a legal aid certificate (and a bill for legal services). Last year, Albertans held in police custody placed almost 30,000 calls for help to LAA lawyers. During the last year, LAA lawyers conducted more than 32,000 bail hearings. If an Emergency Protection Order is granted, you will receive information at the hearing about the protections in place and the date for your mandatory review hearing at the Court of King’s Bench. If you apply by phone through the Hearing Office, you will complete the online form. You may be asked to provide identification and any supporting documents or evidence. Duty counsel will help you complete the required EPO application forms. This includes confirming that the parties are “family members,” that recent family violence has occurred, and that there is an urgent need for protection.

• If you’re dealing with family violence, we can help you get an Emergency Protection Order (EPO) at no cost.
• As a publicly funded, non-profit organization, we provide affordable legal services in family law, domestic violence, child welfare, immigration, and youth and adult criminal defence.
• Daniela’s volunteer experience includes service as the Chair of the Edmonton Combative Sports Commission and currently as a board member of the Edmonton Mennonite Centre for Newcomers.
• Catherine is a CPA, CA whose career has focused on finance, technology and corporate governance consulting for a variety of organizations including publicly funded health care, education, children’s aid and legal aid entities.
• You can apply after you have been charged with a criminal offence.
• Last year, Albertans held in police custody placed almost 30,000 calls for help to LAA lawyers.

“This new Governance Agreement underscores and safeguards the principle of independence in the delivery of legal aid services in this province,” said Legal Aid Alberta Board Chair, Ryan Callioux, KC. It reflects a mutual understanding of the value of legal aid and the importance of protecting access to justice. At the core of this agreement is a shared commitment to LAA’s independence, a principle essential to delivering fair and accessible legal services. You can provide the name of a lawyer you prefer to work with during your application. Clients are expected to re-pay Legal Aid Alberta for their lawyer’s services. Sonya is also a board director at CPA Alberta and Treasurer and Chair, Finance and Audit Committee at CanadaHelps. Sonya brings 20 years of organizational governance experience from a variety of senior internal and external board perspectives. Randy also participates in a variety of pro bono and access to justice initiatives in Alberta. Randy practices in a wide variety of areas in all levels of courts of Alberta, including employment disputes, shareholder disputes and urban and rural lease and property disputes. Jim’s volunteer experience includes service on the boards of Mount Royal University, the Edmonton and Calgary public libraries, and the Edmonton Art Gallery. If you’re an adult, your income must meet our financial guidelines to qualify for legal services. We are not able to provide a lawyer if Children’s Services is wanting to speak with you about an issue, only once they have made a court application. Legal Aid will review the circumstances of your case when determining which lawyer to provide. All clients are expected to repay Legal Aid Alberta for their lawyer’s services. LAA will ask a few questions about your income, assets and expenses to confirm your financial eligibility. Jim also served as the executive director of one of Alberta’s political parties. He is a senior business executive with more than 25 years of government, Indigenous and public affairs experience in diverse industries, including forestry, mining, telecommunications, and oil and gas. Prior to joining the Commission, David was a partner with the law firm of Parlee McLaws in Calgary. David recently retired from the Alberta Securities Commission after having served over 25 years as its executive director. Duty counsel lawyers are available by phone and in courtrooms to provide brief legal advice to Albertans regardless of income. Legal aid duty counsel lawyers are in courtrooms across Alberta to provide immediate legal information, advice and assistance to unrepresented people. The Legal Aid Alberta lawyer directory is for clients applying for legal aid services. Once financial eligibility is confirmed, our staff lawyers will review your case to ensure it meets LAA’s criteria for civil matters. Due to changes in the court processes and a focus on mediation prior to taking court action, most clients applying for family matters are referred to free resolution services through the courthouse. Once we’ve confirmed your financial eligibility, our assessment team will ask you to provide all relevant documents for review. LAA staff lawyers provide full representation but only accept certain types of cases; therefore, you may be connected with a roster lawyer. When you apply, you’ll be asked to provide the name of a preferred lawyer. If duty counsel cannot assist, they will assess whether imprisonment upon conviction is likely to determine if you’re eligible for a legal aid certificate. While not everyone can afford a lawyer, every Albertan deserves access to a fair legal system. The fees a lawyer can charge are outlined in our Legal Aid Tariff. If necessary, we may also ask you to provide any letters or documents related to your immigration matter. If you’re financially eligible, you will qualify for coverage as soon as your immigration file is sent to the Immigration and Refugee Board (IRB). Contact us by phone if you need assistance with immigration matters, specifically refugee claims, detention, and admissibility reviews. This review hearing will be scheduled within nine working days from the date the EPO is granted.

A step-by-step guide on what to expect when applying for legal aid.

Yes, some legal aid services are free for all Albertans. Roster lawyers are private practice lawyers who play a crucial role in serving disadvantaged Albertans, especially in remote communities. This can include legal clinics or social assistance organizations and counselling services. Legal Aid Alberta will attempt to connect you with this requested lawyer. Legal Aid pays your lawyer during your case and we work with you to set up a re-payment plan. Catherine is a CPA, CA whose career has focused on finance, technology and corporate governance consulting for a variety of organizations including publicly funded health care, education, children’s aid and legal aid entities. The board makes decisions that are carried out by our executive and management teams.

• If you’re financially eligible, you will qualify for coverage as soon as your immigration file is sent to the Immigration and Refugee Board (IRB).
• Join us in helping to protect Albertans’ legal rights.
• Randy also participates in a variety of pro bono and access to justice initiatives in Alberta.
• Clients are expected to re-pay Legal Aid Alberta for their lawyer’s services.
• Your income includes any money you and your family have received in the last 30 days and over the last 12 months.
• We have implemented more reliable Contact Centre technology to better support clients and our teams taking calls on the frontlines.

If free resolution services cannot resolve your issue, you may seek legal representation from Legal Aid Alberta. If you are seeking assistance with family law matters, you can contact LAA by phone. If you’re dealing with an immigration law or refugee matter, we can help you understand and protect your legal rights. Our legal practice focuses on critical services Albertans need the most. Legal Aid Alberta pays your lawyer during your case, and we work with you to set up a re-payment plan. ”It reaffirms Legal Aid Alberta’s role as an essential partner within the justice system and ensures services remain responsive to community needs for years to come. With this refreshed framework and funding secured, Albertans can be confident that LAA is well positioned to continue its mission of resolving legal problems for disadvantaged Albertans and upholding the Rule of Law, for the benefit of everyone. We will discuss your payment arrangements each time you apply. However, all clients must have less than $120,000 in equity assets to qualify. Be sure to attend the correct court location and on the date listed on your court documents. If you are dealing with a mental health law issue, we may be able to help. This order will keep a violent or intimidating family member from contacting or coming near you and your children. We have implemented more reliable Contact Centre technology to better support clients and our teams taking calls on the frontlines. For information on our eligibility criteria please visit Eligibility – Legal Aid Alberta. He added that “Alberta’s government remains committed to ensuring access to justice for all Albertans.” Legal Aid Alberta is governed and guided by a carefully chosen board of directors. Greg leads the legal advisory team at Legal Aid Alberta, providing strategic legal advice to support decision-making across the organization. He focuses on fostering collaboration across departments to enhance service delivery and improve access to justice for Albertans, and ensures that LAA’s technology solutions effectively support both daily operations and innovative projects. Dale oversees the financial accountability, reporting, and business analysis that supports Legal Aid Alberta’s day-to-day operations as well as our many innovative initiatives. Laurie oversees the Communications, Culture and Human Resources functions at Legal Aid Alberta, including board governance and policy development.

Governance

Clint’s board experience spans various international and subsidiary corporate boards, as well as non-profit organizations, including serving as an Audit Committee Chair. Prior to his executive experience, Clint was a corporate and investment banker. As an accomplished C-suite executive, Clint has spent over two decades guiding strategy and execution across publicly traded regulated utilities, private equity-backed energy companies, and global corporate environments. We work together in a collaborative and supportive manner to deliver unwavering and innovative services to our clients as one unified organization. It can help you find and choose your preferred lawyer. Legal Aid pays your lawyer during your case and we work with you to set up a repayment plan.

• If you’re an adult, your income must meet our financial guidelines to qualify for legal services.
• All clients must re-pay Legal Aid Alberta for their lawyer’s services.
• You can access our Support Services resource page to find other services and agencies that may be able to assist you.
• Regardless of financial eligibility, all Albertans facing criminal charges are able to request brief legal advice and support from duty counsel.
• We will discuss your payment arrangements each time you apply.
• He is a senior business executive with more than 25 years of government, Indigenous and public affairs experience in diverse industries, including forestry, mining, telecommunications, and oil and gas.
• Not unlike applying for income assistance, a mortgage or a student loan, there is a process to determine eligibility.

Roseanne Carey is a Chartered Professional Accountant (CPA, CA) who has spent most of her career providing strategic and advisory support to business clients. Daniela’s volunteer experience includes service as the Chair of the Edmonton Combative Sports Commission and currently as a board member of the Edmonton Mennonite Centre for Newcomers. Amber-Dawn is an accomplished engagement and commercial lending executive who leads with integrity, inclusivity and a demonstrated history of fostering relationships with Indigenous communities, industry stakeholders and government. If you are a youth (age 12 to 17) who has been charged with a crime, you may still be eligible to receive representation by a lawyer through Legal Aid Alberta. Ultimately Legal Aid Alberta has final discretion in providing your lawyer. However, we cannot guarantee that the lawyer you request will take your case.

Executive Team

The majority of Legal Aid Alberta’s services are not free. Lori also guides and oversees the day-to-day operations of the staff law offices and the corporate law and case management group. Lori leads, directs, and oversees all client services functions. They – along with all of LAA’s dedicated team members – strive to achieve our vision of an Alberta where everyone is able to understand and protect their legal rights. We resolve legal problems for disadvantaged Albertans and, in doing so, protect the Rule of Law for the benefit of everyone. An Alberta where everyone is able to understand and protect their legal rights.

• The cost of having a legal aid lawyer represent you depends entirely on the scope of legal services you need.
• LAA will ask you a few questions about your income, assets and expenses to confirm your financial eligibility.
• During the last year, LAA lawyers conducted more than 32,000 bail hearings.
• If your court case is in a different province/territory you need to contact the local legal aid program of that province/territory.
• Any Albertan facing imminent domestic danger can contact LAA to apply for an emergency protection order.
• Roster lawyers are private practice lawyers who play a crucial role in serving disadvantaged Albertans, especially in remote communities.
• However, we cannot guarantee that the lawyer you request will take your case.
• At the core of this agreement is a shared commitment to LAA’s independence, a principle essential to delivering fair and accessible legal services.

Service eligibility - Application preparation

The fees a lawyer can charge are outlined in our LAA Tariff. In 2025, more than 49,000 clients across the province turned to Legal Aid Alberta for criminal, family and immigration cases. We also employ call centre staff and professionals who work behind the scenes to provide essential services to thousands of Albertans. You can access our Support Services resource page to find other services and agencies that may be able to assist you. If it is an error on your financial assessment please submit documents proving the accurate income information prior to submitting a Request to Review form.

Vice Chair

EPOP can provide legal representation and support at the review hearing. Often, your lawyer will reach out at your next court appearance or as soon as they are able. The team will conduct a detailed review to determine service eligibility if you have complex family matters, such as spousal support, custody, or property division. LAA will ask you a few questions about your income, assets and expenses to confirm your financial eligibility. You can search by court location, area of law or languages spoken to find a Roster lawyer that is right for you. We are Alberta-wide, which means legal help is close no matter where you live. We may look at documents like income tax returns and bank statements to determine if you qualify. We help families in crisis and disadvantaged citizens of all ages who need legal representation. Legal Aid Alberta serves clients across the province in cities, small towns and remote communities. Here are answers to seven frequently asked questions we get from clients and the public. If you’re dealing with family violence, we can help you get an Emergency Protection Order (EPO) at no cost. We can help if you are experiencing family violence and need protection. Any Albertan facing imminent domestic danger can contact LAA to apply for an emergency protection order. In most cases, legal representation in mental health cases is free. Duty counsel service is free to all Albertans.

Find a lawyer

You can also speak with a duty counsel lawyer at King’s Bench Family Docket Court in Edmonton and Calgary, as well as at 75 court locations across Alberta. This is possible because we have a network of 1,200 roster lawyers who take legal aid cases. The cost of having a legal aid lawyer represent you depends entirely on the scope of legal services you need. This is possible because we have a network of 1,200 roster lawyers who take legal aid cases. Regardless of financial eligibility, all Albertans facing criminal charges are able to request brief legal advice and support from duty counsel.

Wondering if you’re eligible for legal aid?

Innovative solutions to improve access to legal aid. Tamar remains committed to continuous learning, mentorship, principled oversight, and strengthening access to essential legal services across Alberta. Her career includes extensive experience as in-house counsel and executive leadership roles, complemented by sustained involvement in community service and board governance. Previously, Roseanne operated her own consultancy, serving clients across technology, financial services, real estate, benefits, and not-for-profit sectors. Youths, callers currently being held in custody and callers needing to start a new application are provided priority phone access. After months of consultation and careful evaluation of governance models, all parties agreed that Alberta’s current legal aid structure — a non-profit society with independent oversight — offers the best balance of flexibility, accountability and responsiveness. This agreement replaces the one signed in 2024 and reaffirms LAA’s role as an independent, non-profit organization committed to providing quality legal services to disadvantaged Albertans.

Adult Criminal Law

As a publicly funded, non-profit organization, we provide affordable legal services in family law, domestic violence, child welfare, immigration, and youth and adult criminal defence. If you are dealing with matters under the Mental Health Act, you have access to duty counsel services as needed. You will work directly with your assigned lawyer or duty counsel for any further steps. On July 16, 2025, the Government of Alberta, the Law Society of Alberta, and Legal Aid Alberta signed a new Governance Agreement that secures stable funding through 2030, strengthening the long-term sustainability and future of legal aid in the province. Your income includes any money you and your family have received in the last 30 days and over the last 12 months. You can apply for coverage on a new legal issue even if you have an outstanding bill with us for a previous matter. If your legal matter is in Alberta, you can apply even if you are a resident of a different province or territory. No, the financial guidelines do not apply for a youth dealing with one or more criminal offences. You can apply after Children’s Services has filed a court application or if there is an ongoing court case with Children’s Services. We have more than 34,000 clients across the province and the need for legal help never stops.

• We are not able to provide a lawyer if Children’s Services is wanting to speak with you about an issue, only once they have made a court application.
• We have more than 34,000 clients across the province and the need for legal help never stops.
• Once financial eligibility is confirmed, our staff lawyers will review your case to ensure it meets LAA’s criteria for civil matters.
• Once a staff or roster lawyer accepts your certificate, LAA will email you the lawyer’s contact information.
• We work together in a collaborative and supportive manner to deliver unwavering and innovative services to our clients as one unified organization.
• Legal Aid Alberta will attempt to connect you with this requested lawyer.
• When you apply, you’ll be asked to provide the name of a preferred lawyer.
• This review hearing will be scheduled within nine working days from the date the EPO is granted.

He offers guidance on legal issues affecting Legal Aid Alberta and its clients, and assists in mitigating legal, regulatory, and commercial risks. He also represents the organization in dealing with Alberta Justice, the Law Society of Alberta, the federal government, other legal aid plans in Canada, the legal community, and the public. Reporting to the board of directors, John is responsible for the executive planning and coordination of the organization. If you are dealing with a criminal matter or a court case involving Child and Family Services, you may be able to submit a Rowbotham Application to the courts. We represent clients in more than 75 communities. To qualify you must be a resident of Alberta or be a resident of Canada with a court case in Alberta. You can apply after you have been charged with a criminal offence. Adult criminal cases account for a significant portion of our caseload, followed by family issues, youth crime, child welfare cases, and immigration matters. To determine your eligibility for our services, we’ll ask questions to confirm that your case has been sent to the IRB. No financial eligibility assessment is needed for initial EPO applications or EPO Review Hearings. Once a staff or roster lawyer accepts your certificate, LAA will email you the lawyer’s contact information. Our executive team is responsible for strategic and business planning and ensuring that LAA delivers crucial legal services to Albertans while operating within the Governance Agreement. We operate and provide legal counsel free from outside involvement. For most issues, Legal Aid Alberta lawyers charge a reduced hourly rate of $125.00 plus miscellaneous fees. For more information about financial eligibility and application needs, please visit our Resources page.