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Legal Practice
The following resources assist lawyers to accurately identify legal issues, employ research, analytical and problem-solving skills to formulate clear and appropriate legal strategies, communicate effectively and advance their clients’ interests within their practice-specific contexts.
Resource | Description | Topic | Audience | Format | Publisher |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Communicating with the Court | Lawyers frequently call the Practice Advisors’ Office to discuss the ethics of communicating with the court. | Critically Evaluate a Matter, Advance Client Interests | Sole Practitioner & Small Firm, Government & Non-Profit, Private Practice | Article | Law Society of Alberta |
Simply Speaking | It’s hard not to fall into the legalese trap. From law school onwards, lawyers are conditioned to write and speak using academic language and legal terminology. | Communicate Effectively | Private Practice, Management, In-House, Sole Practitioner & Small Firm, Government & Non-Profit | Article, Guide | Law Society of Alberta |
Amendments to the Condominium Property Act: New Deposit Rules Effective April 1, 2018 | Effective Sunday, April 1, 2018, if a consumer is buying a new condominium in Alberta from a developer, the buyer’s purchase deposit must be held by an Alberta lawyer while the condominium is being built. | Critically Evaluate a Matter, Advance Client Interests | Private Practice, Sole Practitioner & Small Firm | Article | Law Society of Alberta |
Canadian Bankers Association Contact List for Matters Involving Mortgage Discharges English Version French Version | Bank and contact information as of August 19, 2021. | Critically Evaluate a Matter, Advance Client Interests | Private Practice, Sole Practitioner & Small Firm | Guide | Law Society of Alberta |
Conveyancing Protocol | The Protocol prescribes enhanced standards of conveyancing practice, which will result in better service for clients. | Critically Evaluate a Matter, Advance Client Interests | Private Practice, Sole Practitioner & Small Firm | Guide | Law Society of Alberta |
Applying Protocol | The Protocol prescribes enhanced standards of conveyancing practice, which will result in better service for clients. | Critically Evaluate a Matter, Advance Client Interests | Private Practice, Sole Practitioner & Small Firm | Guide | Law Society of Alberta |
Conveyancing Protocol: FAQ | The Protocol prescribes enhanced standards of conveyancing practice, which will result in better service for clients. | Critically Evaluate a Matter, Advance Client Interests | Private Practice, Sole Practitioner & Small Firm | Guide | Law Society of Alberta |
Ethical Considerations Regarding Requests for Wills | When a lawyer receives a request to provide a will to someone other than the testator, the lawyer’s duty of confidentiality to the testator should guide how to respond and what information can be disclosed. | Critically Evaluate a Matter, Advance Client Interests | Private Practice, Sole Practitioner & Small Firm | Article | Law Society of Alberta |
Giving Independent Legal Advice | Independent legal advice is never routine, and a consultation may be the client's only opportunity to consider objectively a transaction that exposes them to significant liability. Considerations for giving or sending a person for independent legal advice are provided. | Critically Evaluate a Matter, Advance Client Interests | Private Practice, Sole Practitioner & Small Firm | Template, Guide | Law Society of Alberta |
Mortgage Instructions Toolkit | Prepared by the CBA Real Property Section, the practice tools in this toolkit can help you respond to some common lender instruction requests. | Critically Evaluate a Matter, Advance Client Interests | Private Practice, Sole Practitioner & Small Firm | Guide | External Source |
New Notaries and Commissioners Act in Force April 30, 2015 | They will now both be governed under the Notaries and Commissioners Act. The legislative amendments also contain consequential amendments to the Alberta Evidence Act and the Guarantees Acknowledgement Act. | Critically Evaluate a Matter, Advance Client Interests | Private Practice, Management, In-House, Sole Practitioner & Small Firm, Government & Non-Profit | Article | Law Society of Alberta |
Non-Lawyer Representation of Corporations in the Courts | In some cases, non-lawyer agents may be permitted to appear for parties in civil matters before the Provincial Court, or in certain summary offence matters. | Critically Evaluate a Matter, Advance Client Interests | Private Practice, Management, In-House, Sole Practitioner & Small Firm, Government & Non-Profit | Article | Law Society of Alberta |
OPCA Litigants - The Phenomenon of Freemen on the Land | The Law Society continues to hear concerns regarding “Organized Pseudolegal Commercial Argument” litigants (OPCA litigants), and specifically Freemen on the Land. Consequently, we want to remind lawyers of their obligations when dealing with OPCA litigants. | Critically Evaluate a Matter, Advance Client Interests | Private Practice, Management, In-House, Sole Practitioner & Small Firm, Government & Non-Profit | Article | Law Society of Alberta |
Understanding the Prohibition on the Purchase of Residential Property by Non-Canadians Act | The Prohibition on the Purchase of Residential Property by Non-Canadians Act (the Act) came into force on Jan. 1, 2023. The Act will be in force for two years and real estate lawyers need to consider the impact of the Act on their practice and their clients. | Critically Evaluate a Matter, Advance Client Interests | Private Practice, Sole Practitioner & Small Firm | Article | Law Society of Alberta |
Avoid the Penalty Box | The Alberta Lawyers Indemnity Association (ALIA) manages the professional liability insurance program for lawyers in Alberta. Learn about the different trends in claims presented to ALIA, inspired by the names of NHL teams. | Critically Evaluate a Matter, Advance Client Interests | Private Practice, In-House, Management, Sole Practitioner & Small Firm, Government & Non-Profit | Article | Law Society of Alberta |
Mastering Client Files | Adopting use of a Master Client File List will help you gain better control over your practice. Learn about the key pieces of information and the benefits of using a Master Client File List. | Advance Client Interests | Private Practice, Sole Practitioner & Small Firm, Government & Non-Profit | Article, Podcast | Law Society of Alberta |
Bridging the Gap | All too often, lawyers or their clients adopt a “my way or the highway” mentality. This type of approach tends to be counter-productive when trying to determine how to best resolve a dispute. | Communicate Effectively | Private Practice, Sole Practitioner & Small Firm, Government & Non-Profit | Article, Guide | Law Society of Alberta |
Original Wills: Privilege and Lien Issues | Although it is recommended that lawyers give original wills to the testator client with appropriate instructions for storage, they sometimes remain in the lawyer’s file or vault. | Critically Evaluate a Matter, Advance Client Interests | Private Practice, Sole Practitioner & Small Firm | Article | Law Society of Alberta |
Air Conditioning Units and Window Wells on Real Property Reports | Recommended practice in the City of Calgary as to whether, and when (if at all), a Real Property Report must be updated to show (i) air conditioning units and (ii) window wells. | Critically Evaluate a Matter, Advance Client Interests | Private Practice, Sole Practitioner & Small Firm | Guide | External Source |
Recommended Rules Of Practice Respecting Real Property Reports | Report to reduce the uncertainty and disagreements that often arise between lawyers concerning Real Property Reports. | Critically Evaluate a Matter, Advance Client Interests | Private Practice, Sole Practitioner & Small Firm | Guide | External Source |
Signing Court Orders | Lawyers owe a duty to the court to sign orders to which they have agreed or which have been granted by the court. | Critically Evaluate a Matter, Advance Client Interests | Private Practice, In-House, Sole Practitioner & Small Firm, Government & Non-Profit | Article | Law Society of Alberta |
Solicitor-Client Privilege and Demands for Disclosure | In response to inquiries from lawyers regarding demands for disclosure, the Law Society of Alberta developed a position statement to provide guidance when they are faced with such demands. | Advance Client Interests | Private Practice, Management, In-House, Sole Practitioner & Small Firm, Government & Non-Profit | Article, Guide | Law Society of Alberta |
Trust Conditions Guidelines | Alberta lawyers appreciated the format of the previous Code rules respecting trust conditions – a familiar checklist or guide for working through trust conditions issues. | Advance Client Interests | Private Practice, Sole Practitioner & Small Firm | Guide, Checklist | Law Society of Alberta |
Understanding and Avoiding Law Society Complaints | This article addresses the common issues that face practicing lawyers, and concludes with a list of tips and resources found on our website. | Advance Client Interests | Private Practice, Management, In-House, Sole Practitioner & Small Firm, Government & Non-Profit | Article | Law Society of Alberta |
Conflicts Essentials | Lawyers must understand how to recognize conflicts of interest, how to prevent them from occurring, and what might happen if they do occur. View this webinar for more details on conflicts essentials. | Critically Evaluate a Matter | Private Practice, In-House, Sole Practitioner & Small Firm, Government & Non-Profit | Webinar, Video | Law Society of Alberta |
Conflicts Essentials Part 2 Webinar | Key elements of ethical practice are recognizing conflicts of interest, understanding how to prevent them, and what might happen if they do occur. Practice Advisor, Elizabeth Aspinall, walks through common and complex scenarios to help lawyers understand when conflicts may arise and how to resolve them. | Critically Evaluate a Matter | Private Practice, In-House, Sole Practitioner & Small Firm, Government & Non-Profit | Webinar, Video | Law Society of Alberta |