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Limited Liability Partnerships (LLPs)

A limited liability partnership structure protects the individuals in a partnership from personal liability for the debts of the partnership, negligence and wrongdoing of other partners. A permit must be obtained from the Law Society of Alberta.

Limited Liability Partnerships Registration

The procedure for a law firm proposing to register as an Alberta LLP or an extra-provincial LLP under Part 3 of the Partnership Act involves two steps:

  1. Certification from the Law Society of Alberta
  2. Registration with the Registrar of Corporations

Any change in the particulars of an Alberta or an extra-provincial LLP must be filed with the Law Society and every Alberta and extra-provincial LLP must be renewed on an annual basis.

Certification from the Law Society

Complete and submit the following:

Please send the information by fax, mail or email to Membership Services.

Requirements

The proposed Alberta LLP must meet the following requirements:

  • all partners of the applicant partnership, whether individuals or professional corporations, are entitled to carry on the practice of law
  • the partners of the firm are covered by liability insurance in the form and amount required by the Law Society of Alberta

The proposed extra-provincial LLP must meet the following requirements:

  • all partners of the applicant partnership, whether individuals or professional corporations, are entitled to carry on the practice of law
  • the partnership has the status of a limited liability partnership under the laws of a jurisdiction outside Alberta
  • the Alberta partners in the partnership are covered by liability insurance in the form and amount required for that purpose by the Law Society of Alberta

Upon approval, the Law Society will endorse the Application with the Society’s certification pursuant to sections 82(4)(b) or 94(3)(b) of the Partnership Act and forward it to you.

Please allow 30 days after your Application and fees are received for the Law Society to approve your application.

Registration with the Registrar of Corporations

You may then apply to the Registrar of Corporations to be registered as an Alberta LLP or an extra-provincial LLP pursuant to sections 82 or 94 of the Partnership Act.

Please visit www.servicealberta.gov.ab.ca/Corporate_Registries.cfm for more information.

Change in Particulars

A registered Alberta LLP or extra-provincial LLP must notify the Law Society in writing of any change in the particulars specified in the Application before or immediately after the change is made. This includes the addition or deletion of any partners and any change of address.

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Limited Liability Partnerships Renewal

Renewal of Alberta LLP or Extra-Provincial LLP

  1. Your permit to practice through your Alberta LLP or extra-provincial LLP expires on December 31 of the year for which it was issued and must be renewed annually.
  2. In December of each year, every registered Alberta LLP and extra-provincial LLP will receive a notice from the Law Society respecting the renewal of its registration and enclosing a copy of Form 10-3, Application by an Alberta LLP for Renewal of LLP Certification.
  3. The completed Application (Form 10-3) and the prescribed renewal fee must be returned to the Law Society before December 31 in each year.
  4. Upon approval, the Law Society will endorse the Application (Form 10-3) with the Society’s certification of registration renewal and forward it to you.

The Registrar of Corporations will be notified if the LLP fails to renew its certificate with the Law Society of Alberta.

For more information, contact Membership Services.

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