Alberta > Representing Yourself? > Getting Help

Alberta Arbitration and Mediation Society The Alberta Arbitration and Mediation Society is a not for profit organization which provides education and information to its members and the general public on solving disputes more effectively. Website offers a Directory of Arbitrators and Mediators in Alberta (downloadable PDF - 63 pages)

Alberta Law Reform Institute Site developed by ALRI (Alberta Law Reform Institute), a research institute that delivers law reform proposals through specific projects.

Alberta Ombudsman The Alberta Ombudsman investigates written complaints from individuals who feel they have been treated unfairly by an administrative decision, act, omission or recommendation of an Alberta government department, board, agency or commission and professional organizations.

Children’s Legal & Educational Resource Centre (CLERC) The Children’s Legal & Educational Resource Centre (CLERC) is a non-profit organization based in Calgary. CLERC provides legal advice, legal education, services and referrals to children and youth identified as needing legal information or representation. Young people who do not live with their parents, including those who have no parents, need legal help to get financial support from agencies and many young people face discrimination and need help dealing with different legal assistance situations.

Edmonton Community Legal Centre The Edmonton Community Legal Centre is a non profit organization that offers free legal information, advice and representation for people living with low income in the Edmonton area. The Centre helps individuals and families who have legal problems in the following areas: Landlord and Tenant; Employment/ Wrongful Dismissal; Small Claims; Income Support Advocacy; Human Rights; Debt; Immigration.The Centre is not able to provide assistance in the areas of family and criminal law.

Family Court Counsellors Family Court Counsellors provide services, at no cost, to families who are involved in parenting disputes and are living separate and apart. The service is designed for people who are not represented by a lawyer. Services may include: Information on options and services for resolving family issues, Referrals to services and programs including mediation, Information on the effects of separation and divorce on children, Help to negotiate agreements, Assistance with court applications, arranging court dates and presenting the case in Provincial Court.

Family Justice Services Family Justice Services are a group of progams and services offered by Alberta Justice in collaboration with the courts of Alberta. Family Justice Services works directly with individuals and also with the judges of the Alberta Provincial Court and Court of Queen's Bench to help people get appropriate solutions for their family law issues. The site provides information on a variety of issues such as the Family Law Act, family law kits and court information, child support assistance, courses and seminars for parents, family violence prevention, etc.

Family Law Office The Family Law Office can help clients with problems and issues relating to: Protection Defence, Separation and Divorce, Parenting Plans, Guardianship, Child support, Spousal/partner support, Division of Property, Representation of Children, Hague Convention, Appeals, Restraining Orders, Emergency Protection Orders. The Family Law Office is a program of Legal Aid Alberta with offices in Edmonton and Calgary. 

Grande Prairie Legal Guidance Grande Prairie Legal Guidance (GPLG) is a non-profit joint initiative between Pro Bono Law Alberta (PBLA), The Community Village and Grande Prairie lawyers. Volunteer lawyers from the Grande Prairie community donate their professional time to meet with clients and provide legal guidance and information.

How to prepare and file a civil notice of appeal? Guide for self-represented litigants developed by Alberta Court of Appeal. (PDF - 6 pages).

How to prepare and file a notice of motion, affidavit and memorandum of argument? Guide for self-represented litigants developed by Alberta Court of Appeal (pdf - 16 pages).

Law Information Centres (LInC) The Law Information Centre can help you get the information you need for civil and criminal matters. At LInC, a professional staff member will help you understand Alberta's legal system.

Legal Aid Alberta The mission of the Legal Aid Alberta is to facilitate equality of access to the justice system through the provision of legal services in serious legal matters to those who would not otherwise be able to finance them solely from their own resources.

Maintenance Enforcement Program (Alberta) The Alberta Maintenance Enforcement Program (MEP) is authorized by the Alberta Maintenance Enforcement Act to ensure that individuals meet their obligations to pay spousal and child support under the terms of their court orders and certain agreements. In cases of default (non-payment) by the debtor, MEP has the legislative authority to take steps to enforce the support owed. These enforcement tools include registrations at Land Titles and the Personal Property Registry, wage, non-wage and federal support deduction notices, federal licence (passport) denials, motor vehicle restrictions and driver's licence suspensions. MEP also has access to a variety of databases to assist in locating a debtor or a debtor's assets or income.

Mediation and Dispute Resolution Legal service developed by Alberta Justice to provide the general public with information and asssitance on mediation and conflict resolution.

Residential Tenancy Dispute Resolution Service (RTDRS) The Residential Tenancy Dispute Resolution Service (RTDRS) offers landlords and tenants an alternative means of resolving serious disputes outside of court. The Service is designed to be faster, more informal and less expensive than the courts. A tenant or a landlord who has concerns related to an eviction, unpaid rent/utilities, security deposit, damages, repairs or other common disagreements can use the service.

Student Legal Assistance, University of Calgary Student Legal Assistance Society is a volunteer non-profit organization of law students at the University of Calgary who provide year-round free legal assistance and representation to residents of the Calgary area who cannot afford legal assistance.

Student Legal Services of Edmonton Student Legal Services (SLS) is a non-profit organization of over 200 volunteer law students from the University of Alberta providing free legal information and assistance to the poverty community in the Edmonton area. SLS is composed of four projects: Civil & Family Law, Criminal Law, Pro Bono Students of Canada and Legal Education and Reform.