The legal landscape in Alberta and around the world, looks much different today than it did a century ago and yet the way law is practised remains largely the same.
We know that legal services are becoming increasingly inaccessible and this has led consumers to challenge the traditional ways that legal services are offered. The public is looking for alternatives and frequently resort to a do-it-yourself approach, often involving the internet and technology.
The Law Society is concerned about access to legal services for all Albertans. A stable democratic society requires access to institutions and services that create order inContinue reading
The legal landscape in Alberta and around the world, looks much different today than it did a century ago and yet the way law is practised remains largely the same.
We know that legal services are becoming increasingly inaccessible and this has led consumers to challenge the traditional ways that legal services are offered. The public is looking for alternatives and frequently resort to a do-it-yourself approach, often involving the internet and technology.
The Law Society is concerned about access to legal services for all Albertans. A stable democratic society requires access to institutions and services that create order in our lives for daily living, business, and dispute resolution. We all need access to services that help maintain stability and preserve the rule of law.
The independence of the legal profession is critical in a free and democratic society. The Law Society plays an essential role in maintaining that independence as the regulatory body that governs lawyers and legal practice in Alberta. We act in the public interest with the aim of ensuring that the public receives high quality legal services.
We are seeing pressures within our own system to make changes that will enable the delivery of legal services that work for Albertans in the 21st century. Some of the drivers for change are new technologies, new business models, access to justice concerns, and a growing public demand for more affordable legal services.
Currently, we are trying to be responsive to this changing legal landscape and we need amendments to our legislation to change the way we do our work as a regulator
The Nova Scotia Barristers’ Society has released its first report on entity regulation, moving the society further ahead on the road to a new regulatory landscape.
Gillian Hadfield doesn’t mince words: millions of people in the United States and Canada don’t have access to the legal help they need and are shut out by a legal system too complicated for many of them to navigate alone.
Law Society of Manitoba benchers will be presented with a pilot project on April 20 from their committee on entity regulation that was created through collaboration with their fellow regulators in Saskatchewan and Alberta.
Law schools across Ontario will have fuller classes than usual on Oct. 4. That’s when self-represented litigants will be taking in lectures alongside regular students. Classroom attendance is just one of the activities planned for Self-Represented Litigants Awareness Day.
Members of the Law Society of British Columbia have voted to remove a provision in its rules that prevented newly called lawyers from seeking election as benchers.
The Law Society of Upper Canada (LSUC) has implemented new annual reporting requirements that lawyers and paralegals must comply with before the year ends. The mandatory actions include creating a statement of principles and a human rights and diversity policy.
The legal industry is known for adherence to precedent, not innovation. While precedent remains a guiding principle in the practice of law, innovation is transforming the models, methods, and players involved in the buy/sell process of legal services.
To really address barriers faced by racialized licensees, some lawyers say the Law Society of Upper Canada needs to implement entity regulation to significantly boost diversity in the legal profession.
Phase 1: Entity Regulation and Compliance-Based Regulation Consultation
Legal Profession Act has finished this stage
Closed June 30, 2016. View report.
Phase 2: Law Firm Practice Management Self-Assessment Pilot
Legal Profession Act has finished this stage
We want to equip law firms with an effective Assessment Tool to support practice and client management and to mitigate risk to both the public and the profession. We will work with participating law firms to ensure that concerns and aspirations are incorporated in the development of the Assessment Tool and will report back on how feedback was used.
Phase 3: Amending the Legal Profession Act Open Houses
Legal Profession Act has finished this stage
The Law Society of Alberta is hosting open houses for lawyers across Alberta throughout October and November to discuss the proposed amendments to the Legal Profession Act.
Phase 4: Amending the Legal Profession Act Open House and Survey Report
Legal Profession Act is currently at this stage
A summary report is being prepared and will be released in the new year.
