The Law Society of Alberta is a self-governing body for Alberta's lawyers with a mandate to regulate the legal profession in the public interest. The Law Society derives its authority from the
Legal Profession Act of Alberta, and is financed and maintained by Alberta lawyers at no cost to the public. Serving in the public interest, the Law Society of Alberta sets out standards through Rules and a Code of Conduct.
- EBulletin for May 15, 2012: Congratulations to Outgoing Bencher Don Scott, QC; Law Society Welcomes New Bencher; Feedback Sought on Recruitment Rules; Changes to Surrogate Forms as a Result of Wills and Succession Act
- Fraud Alert: Several counterfeit Canadian dollar bank drafts negotiated by ON, AB and QC lawyers
The Law Society of Alberta has been advised by the Royal Bank about several counterfeit Canadian dollar bank drafts that have been negotiated by lawyers (four in Ontario, three in Alberta and 1 in Quebec).
These drafts are drawn on RBC transit 05142 003 and are payable to individual lawyers. The subject line on all 8 drafts indicates “Rowland Webster”. They are dated April 12 and 13, 2012, and are in the amount of $325,850. They indicate Royal Bank of Canada, Mississauga ON on the top left corner of the draft. RBC’s investigation indicated that these drafts were given to the lawyer as payment on a debt collection.
The name Rowland Webster has been used as the debtor name on a loan collection fraud previously reported. The fraudster client in this case was purporting to be Barbara Duckett. RBC did not provide the fraudster client name used on the above frauds.
How to handle a real or suspected fraud: If you have been targeted by this fraud, please forward any of the emails and supporting documents that you have received to Mike Martin, Risk Assessment Officer at the Law Society of Alberta via the Reporting Fraud mailbox. - Alberta Lawyers Insurance Association 2011 Annual Report: This report highlights ALIA's performance in several areas. To view the report click here.
- Slave Lake Fire Legal Hotline: Key players in the provision of access to justice in Alberta have responded to a natural disaster by partnering to provide direct legal relief services to those affected by the Slave Lake wildfire. To access this legal hotline, please call: 1-888-644-8950 (toll-free) or visit: www.legalaid.ab.ca/slavelake or www.pbla.ca/slavelake.
- Guidelines to Facilitate Discharging or Transfer of Mortgages and List of Bank Contacts
- Fraud Alerts and Tips, including a reporting fraud mailbox
- June 6-9, 2012
Bencher Meeting in Jasper