DUTY OF A COUNSEL IN THE COURTROOM

                   DUTY OF A COUNSEL IN THE COURTROOM 

Counsel are lawyers who provide information, guidance and advice to you prior to your court appearance.  

Duty Counsel help people who are unrepresented at their court appearance and can offer limited basic services. Depending on the situation, duty counsel may speak to the court on your behalf. There is no financial eligibility requirement for assistance through Duty Counsel. It is free to all Albertans.

Should you require full representation by a lawyer for the remainder of your case, duty counsel may suggest you to apply for legal aid or to hire a lawyer privately.

If you are unrepresented for your first court appearance, go directly to the courthouse where the matter is being heard and ask to speak to duty counsel. Legal Aid Alberta assigns duty counsel to the following docket courts in Alberta:

• criminal (adult and youth) courts;
• drug treatment court (Calgary and Edmonton);
• disciplinary hearings at correctional facilities;
• applications for confirmations and breaches of emergency protection orders*;
• Mental Health Review panel hearings*;
• Provincial court — family and child welfare dockets (Calgary, Edmonton, Fort McMurray, Grande Prairie, St. Paul, Wetaskiwin, Red Deer and Medicine Hat); and  
• Court of Queen's Bench — family (Calgary, Edmonton, Fort McMurray, Grande Prairie, St. Paul, Wetaskiwin, Red Deer and Medicine Hat).

Please note that duty counsel's first priority is to assist accused persons who are in custody and those who are unrepresented at their first court appearance.