Finding Legal Help

• National Database of Professionals Assisting SRL’s It is searchable by location and includes lawyers, paralegals and other professionals offering a variety of services including unbundled legal services.
• National Self-Represented Litigants Project (NSRLP) Representing yourself in Canada. Look under the tab “Our SRL Resources” for various publications including:
  • So you’re representing yourself : a primer to help you get ready to represent yourself in family or civil court
  • Coping with the courtroom : a primer to help you navigate the written (or unwritten) rules of the courtroom
  • Coping with the courtroom: essential tips and information for Self-Represented Litigants
  • Settlement Smarts : Tips on Effectively using negotiation, mediation and judge-led settlement processes
  • “Settlement Smarts” for self-represented litigants: how to use settlement processes knowledgeably and effectively
  • Working with opposing counsel
  • The McKenzie Friend: Choosing and Presenting a Courtroom Companion”
  • Building constructive working relationships between self-represented litigants and opposing counsel
  • Navigating the justice system a guide for self-represented litigants with disabilities
• Canadian Judicial Council
  • Going to Court
  • Representing yourself in court:
    • Civil Law Handbook
    • Criminal Law Handbook
    • Family Law Handbook
• Self-Represented Litigants (Law Now magazine August 2022)
• Information for self-represented litigants in Court of Justice adult criminal
• Information for self-represented litigants in Court of Justice family
• Lawyer’s and self represented litigants guide: maintenance enforcement program
• Representing yourself in Family Court
• Running a criminal trial in Alberta Court of Justice

For further assistance with Alberta court procedures see the Alberta courts tab in this guide.

• Jumping off the Ivory tower – discusses various social justice topics

• Representing yourself in court: how to win your case on your own by Devlin Farmer Table of Contents
• Journey to Justice: A Practical Guide to Representing yourself in Court by Denice Barrie Table of Contents
• Navigating the criminal justice system in Canada : a guide for self represented accused, victims and witnesses by Peter Keen Table of Contents

Court and Justices Services (CJS) Resolution and court supports for people in legal disputes offered by the Government of Alberta, Justice and Solicitor General in collaboration with the courts of Alberta.
Hours: 8:15 am to 4:30 pm (open Monday to Friday, closed statutory holidays)
Toll free: 1-855-738-4747
CJS staff work to:

• help find solutions for legal issues
• offer programs at no cost or a nominal charge
• provide services across Alberta
• provide administrative support to all the courts within the province

Support Services for Albertans
Provides a list of services located near you. Listing developed by Legal Aid.

Emergency Protection Order Program – Legal Aid
Free service that provides help to obtain and confirm protection orders.

• Calgary courthouse 403-297-5260 – 7th floor South
• Edmonton 780-422-9222
• Lethbridge 403-388-3162
• Other areas 1-866-845-3425
• Or call 911 if it is an emergency

AJEFA (Association des juristes d’expression française de l’Alberta)

Operates the Alberta Legal Information Centre, which offers legal information, support and referral services with regard to clients’ legal questions. These services are provided in 10 different languages, in person or remotely, free of charge. Their mission is to inform the general public of their rights to access legal services in the language of their choice

• Edmonton 780-450-2443
• Calgary 403-619-9081

Office of the Child & Youth Advocate Alberta
1-800-661-3446

Provides lawyers for children and youth in intervention matters

Alberta Civil Liberties Research Centre
403-284-0945
Will assist with questions about civil liberties and human rights.

Alberta Human Rights Commission
780-427-7661 – Edmonton (Confidential Inquiry Line)
403-297-6571 – Calgary (Confidential Inquiry Line)

Toll Free within Alberta dial 310-0000 and then enter one of the phone numbers above.
An Independent commission of the Government of Alberta. They help Albertans resolve human rights complaints.

Alberta Human Services – Office of the Public Guardian & Trustee (OPGT)
1-877-427-4525
They provide information and assistance in obtaining guardianship. Also, they will assist with burial and may help with the administration of the estate when someone dies and no one is willing or available to settle their affairs.

Alberta Justice and Solicitor General
Responsible for the administration of justice, including information on victim’s services, legal services for vulnerable persons, corrections, prosecutions, and policing.

Alberta Ombudsman
Toll Free 1-888-455-2756
403-297-6185 – Calgary
780-427-2756 – Edmonton
Investigates complaints of unfair treatment by provincial government authorities and designated professional bodies.

BLG Business Venture Clinic
For entrepreneurs or those starting up a business, law students will assist your legal questions.

Office of the Information and Privacy Commissioner of Alberta
780-422-6860 (Edmonton)
1-888-878-4044 (Toll free)
Investigates privacy complaints regarding the collection and use of personal or health information.

Workers’ Resource Centre
403-264-8100 or Toll Free 1-844-435-7972
Free and confidential services for various employment related issues. Appointments are needed.

For more information see the tab for Duty Counsel in this guide.

Calgary Legal Guidance
403-234-9266
A non-profit legal organization that provides legal information, advice and advocacy to low income Calgarians who would otherwise not have access to legal services. If you can not afford a lawyer and do not qualify for Legal Aid, Calgary Legal Guidance may be able to help. Staff accept or reject applications for assistance on a case-by-case basis.

Unison at Kerby Centre
403-705-3246
Offers free 20 minute legal assistance sessions for low income seniors over the phone.

Student Legal Assistance (SLA) – Calgary
403-220-6637
Law students provide low income Calgarians with legal services and representation in family, traffic, criminal and civil matters (claims up to $100,000). To determine if your matter is eligible for their services check their website. A small disbursement fee may apply.

Homefront Assist
403-206-2100
The Domestic Violence Intervention & Resource Team (DVIRT) provide victims support through the court process. Their services are provided free of charge. You must be referred to them by the Calgary Police Services.

Elizabeth Fry Society of Calgary
403-294-0737 or Toll Free 1-877-398-3656
The Elizabeth Fry Society works with, and on behalf of, low income women involved with the justice system, particularly women in conflict with the law. They help with various matters including landlord and tenant, employment, immigration, family and administrative law. They provide information on court procedure, plea options, process and provide assistance filling out forms. They also provide referrals to duty counsel and other community and legal resources.

Child Witness Court Preparation – 403-289-8385

Women’s Centre of Calgary
403-264-1155
They offer free 30 minute legal advice appointments to women, for preliminary matters and next steps. They do not assist with criminal matters.

Edmonton Community Legal Centre (ECLC)
780-702-1725
45 minute free legal advice clinics are offered to low-income individuals in the areas of family, immigration, social benefits and civil law. You need to fill out an online intake form to confirm eligibility and to set up an appointment time. In person appointments are available in Edmonton and Grande Prairie while all other northern communities have access to phone appointments only.

Elizabeth Fry Society of Edmonton
780-422-4775 or Toll Free 1-866-421-1175
They work with low income women involved with the justice system, particularly women in conflict with the law. They help with various matters including landlord and tenant, employment and family. They provide access to court workers who provide information on court procedure, plea options, process and forms. They also provide referrals to duty counsel and other community and legal resources.

Student Legal Services of Edmonton
780-492-2226
Free legal assistance by students to those who don’t qualify for Legal Aid and are not able to afford a lawyer. They may assist you in court in some situations. Check their website to determine your eligibility. Their website is also a great source for information on many legal topics.

Grande Prairie Legal Guidance
780-882-0036
Provides free legal advice and information to low-income individuals who do not qualify for legal aid. Legal representation is not available.

Edmonton Community Legal Centre (ECLC)
780-702-1725
45 minute free legal advice clinics are offered to low-income individuals in the areas of family, immigration, social benefits and civil law. You need to fill out an online intake form to confirm eligibility and to set up an appointment time. In person appointments are available in Edmonton and Grande Prairie while all other northern communities have access to phone appointments only.

Lethbridge Legal Guidance
403-380-6338
Provides free legal advice and information to low-income individuals who do not qualify for legal aid.

Medicine Hat Legal Help Centre
403-712-1021
Volunteer lawyers provide legal advice during evening legal clinics. Clients must meet certain eligibility requirements. Legal representation is not available.

Community Legal Clinic – Medicine Hat
403-712-1021 or 1-877-314-9129 (Toll Free)
Provide free legal advice to people throughout Central Alberta who do not qualify for Legal Aid. The Community Legal Clinic also delivers public legal education and information sessions on various legal topics.

Community Legal Clinic (Red Deer) 403-314-9129 or 1-877-314-9129 (Toll Free)
Provide free legal advice to people throughout Central Alberta who do not qualify for Legal Aid. The Community Legal Clinic also delivers public legal education and information sessions on various legal topics.

Women’s Outreach 403-347-2480 or 1-866-347-2480 Provide legal information, support and referrals.

Bearpaw Legal Education and Resource Centre
780-451-4002
Provide many workshops on request, throughout the province, on topics such as divorce, going to court, kids and the law and traffic violations.

Centre for Public Legal Education Alberta
Provide online and on demand workshops on a number of legal topics.

Edmonton Community Legal Center
Provide video recordings on various different topics.

Portage College Public Legal Education (PLE) 
Provide various seminars on a variety of legal topics

Calgary Legal Guidance – clinics
Provide various clinics for specific matters at multiple venues across the city check out their website for full details.

Elizabeth Fry Society of Calgary – Immigrant Legal Advocacy Program 403-294-0737 Provide workshops on various issues for women immigrants

Public Interest Law Clinic
For those who want to change the system, in regards to the environmental assessment process, landlord-tenant dispute resolution and environmental protection.

Lethbridge Legal Guidance
403-380-6338

“Know before you go” seminars provide an overview of issues relating to separation and/or divorce. Please call ahead to book an appointment.

Alberta Courts

Alberta Court locations

Court Calendar

Court and Justice Services — Contact Centre 1-855-738-4747 (Toll Free)
Monday to Friday 8:15am – 4:30pm

Court Fees & Waivers in Alberta
Waiving a filing fee

Court Generated orders Court of King’s Bench Family and Civil

Court clerks will prepare orders granted by the court for self represented litigants in KB family and civil matters.

Court and Justice Services (CJS) Can help you with civil and criminal matters in the Court of King’s Bench and the Alberta Court of Justice. They can provide assistance with general court procedures, alternatives to court, court forms, explain the steps in making legal applications, and refer you to other resources.
Locations in Alberta:

• Calgary courthouse 7th floor N.
• Edmonton – John E. Brownlee Building 8th Floor
• Grande Prairie courthouse main floor
• Red Deer courthouse main floor

Family Law Assistance only:

• Lethbridge courthouse
• Medicine Hat courthouse

• Alberta Court of Justice – Civil – including small claims
• Alberta Court of Justice – Traffic
• Alberta Court of Justice – Criminal
• Alberta Court of Justice – Youth
• Civil Claims Process – Flow
• I got a Calgary bylaw ticket. Now what?
• Information for self-represented litigants in Court of Justice adult criminal court
• Information for self-represented litigants in Court of Justice family
• Small Claims 2022
• Running your criminal trial in Alberta Court of Justice

• Getting and Enforcing your Judgment in Alberta

• Appeals at the Court of Appeal
• Civil appeal flow chart
• Criminal appeal flow chart

• Jury duty
• Witness and the Justice system in Alberta

• Alberta Court of Justice Forms
• King’s Bench Criminal Forms
• King’s Bench Civil Forms
• King’s Bench Family Forms
• King’s Bench Divorce Forms and Instructions
• Court of Appeal Filing, Fees and forms
• Alberta Rules of Court and forms
• Office of the Public Guardian and Trustee – Forms Guardianship, trusteeship and personal directives
• Surrogate Forms – non-contentious matters
• What is an Affidavit
• Evidence in Court Affidavits
• Serving court documents

• Native Counselling Services of Alberta provide court assistance in Criminal & Family court for Aboriginal youth and adults.
• Aboriginal Identity: Terms and Definitions
• Are you aboriginal? Do you have a bail hearing? Or are you going to be sentenced for a crime
• Understanding Gladue – podcast

For more information on indigenous law see our research guide: Indigenous Law

If you are experiencing domestic violence, call 1-866-606-7233  to get connected with resources if you are in immediate danger call 911.

Calgary Communities against Sexual abuse Police and court education and support program
1-877-237-5888
Provides information on your rights, and options and will attend meetings with the police or crown prosecutor. Also provide court orientation sessions.

Emergency Protection order Program – Legal Aid
Free service that provides help to obtain and confirm protection orders. They will assist both claimants and respondents.
Calgary courthouse 403-297-5260 – 7th floor South
Edmonton 780-422-9222
Lethbridge 403-388-3162
Other areas 1-866-845-3425

Restraining and protection orders – with the Alberta courts
How to file an Emergency Protection order

Restraining order overview

Applying for an Emergency Protection Order (EPO)

Emergency Protection Orders

Review hearing for EPO

Domestic and Sexual violence resources in the Calgary area  – Calgary Domestic Violence Collective

Homefront Assist 403-206-2100
The Domestic Violence Intervention & Resource Team (DVIRT) provide victims support through the court process. Their services are provided free of charge. You must be referred to them by the Calgary Police Services.

Chinese Community Response to Family Violence (Calgary) – 403-261-7956

• Alberta’s Protection against Family Violence Act
• Alberta Sexual violence prevention and resources
• After sexual assault : your guide to the criminal justice system
• Assault 2019 (SLS)
• Domestic Abuse
• Domestic Violence Handbook for police and crown prosecutors in Alberta
• Families and the Law – Domestic Violence Series Numerous publications on protection orders, preparing for court, planning for an emergency etc.
• Finding a shelter
• Harassment 2022, Alberta Guide to the law (SLS)
• Information guide for victims of sexual assault
• Restraining Orders
• Safer spaces certificate to end tenancy – ending tenancy due to domestic violence
• Stalking is a crime called criminal harassment
• Willownet Abuse and the law in Alberta
• Women, family violence and immigration

Elder Abuse

• Abuse of Older Adults – Questions & Answers
• Elder Abuse
• Elder Abuse: if plans haven’t been made
• Planning ahead to prevent elder abuse
• Practical guide to Elder abuse and neglect law in Canada

Abuse of persons in care

• Alberta Health Reporting abuse of a person in care
• A Guide to understanding the Protection of Persons in Care Act

Last revised May 25, 2023

• Charter Implications of Bylaw Enforcement on People with low incomes in Alberta
• Bylaws, Tickets & Fine 2021, Alberta Guide to the law (SLS)
• Traffic offences

For help finding bylaws see our research guide: “Municipal bylaws“

• Charity Central
• Pro Bono Law Alberta Help for non-profit and Charities

• Challenging your Lawyer’s bill
• Law Society of Alberta
• Filing a complaint and/or making a claim against a lawyer
• Lawyers’ fees review and assessment

• Consumer law Resources (CPLEA)
• Canada Consumer Information
• Consumer tips and resources
• Pay Day Loans … What you should know
• Collection Agencies
• Debt problems … What you should know
• Pay Day Loans
• Legal Health Check – Money Matters
• Consumer bill of rights – Service Alberta
• File a Consumer Complaints against a business

• Criminal Law in Alberta
• Guilty Pleas and sentencing
• If you can’t get legal aid for your criminal trial: how to make a Rowbotham Application – this is a B.C. document so you may need to determine the corresponding information for Alberta.
•  Parole, 2018

For further information look at our various criminal law research guides.

Services

• Employment Standards Contact Centre 1-877-427-3731, will answer employment law questions by phone or online.
• Alberta Workers Health Centre 1-866-729-4879 Provides worker health and safety information.
• Office of the Appeals Advisor -WCB Alberta  1-866-922-9221 Contact them if you are questioning a decision on your WCB file.
• Temporary Foreign Worker Helpline and Advisory Office 1-877-944-9955. They can provide assistance with completing forms or submitting complaints.
• Workers’ Resource Centre – Calgary  403-264-8100 They help with legal issues surrounding disability, workers’ compensation and employment insurance claims and other employment related issues.

Information

• Becoming a parent in Alberta
• Collecting an employment standards judgment
• Complaint resolution process

Employment standards

• Employment Contract  – Video on your rights as an employee
• Employment Insurance (IE) and job loss
• Employment Law 2022
• Employment Standards

Rules & regulations & filing a complaint

• Employment Standards Guide
• Employment standards umpire hearings
• Guide to Alberta Labour relations laws
• Know your rights in the workplace: youth employment law handbook 2018
• Legal Health Check – Business and Employment
• “Representing Yourself at the Alberta Appeals Commission for Worker’s Compensation” by Lynn Parish – LawNow article
• Criminal Harassment
• Things to know when you’ve lost your job
• Worker’s Resource Centre Know your rights
• Your health and safety rights at work
• Your rights at work

For further information see our research guides: Employment and Labour

• Divorce and Separation
• Do your own Divorce Clinic – Calgary Legal Guidance
• Divorce Magazine
• Family Court Assistance – Alberta Courts
• Families & the Law  – CPLEA
• Families Change – information on the law and emotional issues encountered during divorce and separation
• Legal Health Checks – Relationships, Separation and Divorce
• Separation Agreement checklist
• Dating and new relationships for older adults
• Living Together: Adult Interdependent Relationships

Property Division

• Common law relationships and property
• Families and the Law – Property Division for Married and Unmarried Couples
• Divorce and Division of Family property
• Separation and Divorce or Death of a Spouse: Property Division

Child Custody and Access

• The Child’s Right to Love – Based on B.C. Laws
• Families and the law – Parenting time and contact
• Grandparent’s rights in Alberta

Child and Spousal Support

• Child and Spousal support

Maintenance Enforcement

• Lawyer’s and self represented litigants guide: maintenance enforcement program
• Maintenance Enforcement Program (MEP)  – 780-422-5555 Toll Free within Alberta dial 310-0000 and then enter the phone number above.

Parenting after separation online courses – No cost to attend

• Parenting after Separation (PAS) Mandatory attendance for most Court of King’s Bench proceedings.
• Parenting after Separation for Families in High Conflict (PASHC) Participation is voluntary unless directed by court to attend.

For Domestic abuse issues see the tab Abuse, Harassment and Violence.

For further information see our research guide: Family Law

Videos

• Financial Support: Spousal Support and Child Support
• Parenting Plans
• Property Division

• Service Alberta – Consumer Contact Centre – 1-877-427-4088 – Information for landlords and tenants on the provincial Residential Tenancies Act
• Landlords and tenants
• Edmonton Landlord and Tenant Advisory Board – 780-496-5969
• Residential Tenancy Dispute Resolution Services (RTDRS) – 780-644-3000 Toll Free within Alberta dial 310-0000 and then enter the phone number above. The RTDRS is a tribunal that gives landlords and tenants a way to settle issues without going to court.
• Laws for Landlords and Tenants in Alberta
• Renting in Alberta
• Gimme shelter housing law in Canada
• Information for Landlords
• Information for Tenants
• Landlord and Tenant: what to do in court (Probono law Alberta) – Video
• Landlord and Tenant Law 
• Landlord and Tenant Rights – Your rights as a tenant 
• Renting 101: A guide to renting in Alberta
• Renting Basics: Easy read guide to renting in Alberta
• Renting in Canada
• RTA Handbook for Landlords & Tenants: Residential Tenancies Act & Regulations
• Your rights as a tenant
• Your rights when renting

Landlord and tenant law publications and forms
The following publications and more are available from CPLEA:

• Death of a tenant
• Abandoned Goods
• Renting out a room in your home
• Shared Accommodation
• What you need to know about … renting with a pet
• What you need to know if … the place you are renting is sold
• Condo Law for Albertans
• Renting a Condominium
• Foreclosure in Alberta
• Foreclosure for Landlords and Tenants 
• Foreclosure Matters: what to do in Court
• Reverse Mortgages
• Renting with Assistance & Support Animals

Property

• A Guide to property rights in Alberta
• Farmers’ Advocate Office – Alberta
• Land Titles
• Understanding Easements and Rights-of Way

• Alberta Civil Liberties Research Centre (ACLRC) 403-220-2505 aclrc@ucalgary.ca
• Alberta Human Rights Commission – 780-427-7661 (Northern Alberta) 403-297-6571 (Southern Alberta)
• Alberta Human Rights Commission – Information Sheets Covers complaints, employment issues etc.
• Homeless rights 2021
• Human rights and Discrimination 2021
• It’s my right! / C’est mon droit!: Constitutionally protected minority language rights outside of Quebec
• Respectful me, Respectful you: Discrimination, harassment & human rights – Video produced by the Alberta Civil Liberties research centre
• Significance of the Charter in Canadian legal history
• Youth guide to the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms = La Charte canadienne des droits et libertes : guide a l’intention des jeunes

For more information on human rights see our research guide: Constitutional Law & Charter of Rights & Freedoms

• Citizen & Immigration Help Centre 1-888-242-2100 Operated by the Government of Canada.
• Access to justice – New Canadians
• Citizenship 2020
• Citizenship and Immigration Canada
• Criminal charges in Canada and your immigration status
• Mental Illnesses, Criminal Offences & Deportation
• My refugee claim
• Refugee Hearing Preparation Guide
• Welcome to Canada: Publications for newcomers
• Women, family violence and immigration

For further information see our research guide: Immigration

• A Newcomer’s guide to the Calgary police service – When and how to contact the police. Basic rights, laws and crime prevention
• Police Powers: Stops and Searches

• Private Prosecution and Environmental Law
• Launching a Private Prosecution (see pg. 11)

Texts

• Enforcing Environmental Law: A Guide to Private Prosecution by James S. Mallet Table of Contents
• Private Prosecutions Law Reform Commission of Canada

• Record Suspensions in Canada Government of Canada
• Pardons, Record Suspension and Youth records
• Record Suspension Guide – John Howard Society
• Stuart Freidman, “Broken Record”: Crossing the U.S. border with a Canadian criminal record (2017) 38:1 For the Defence 32

Texts

• Obtaining a Criminal Pardon : clear your name legally by Christopher Guly

• Older Adult Knowledge Network (Oaknet) – Provides resources on Grandparent’s rights, housing issues, personal directives and more.
• Adult Guardianship and Trusteeship Act – Information booklet for someone who has lost capacity
• Grandparent’s rights in Alberta
• Legal Health Checks – Canadian Bar Association
• Life Leases
• Reverse Mortgages
• Seniors, Community and Social Services
• Understanding Guardianship: Adult Guardianship and Trusteeship Act

For information on elder abuse see the tab on Abuse, Harassment and Violence.

• Canadian resource centre for victims of crime
• Court Support Program – 1-888-327-7828 Free service that assists victims of crime and witnesses for the crown by providing them with court information, preparation and accompaniment to court.
• Help for victims of crime
• Information guide for victims of sexual assault
• Navigating the Canadian criminal justice system
• Understanding the Court Process – Court Support in Alberta
• Victim Assistance Support Team
• Victim impact statement – Form & information 
• Victim Services Directory – Justice Canada
• Victim Services Unit – Alberta
• Victim’s guide to the Canadian criminal justice system questions and answers

• Child Rights Toolkit
• Child Witness Court Preparation – 403-289-8385
• Legal Health Checks – Youth
• Youth Criminal Justice Act Handbook 2012
• Youth Criminal Law