In partnership with the Ministry of Justice and the Law Society of Alberta, Legal Aid Alberta (LAA) is pleased to announce that it has completed the review of the LAA plan. Legal Aid is an essential component of the justice system, and the purpose of the review is to seek ways to improve access to justice for Albertans in need.

The review examined:

• the legal needs of Albertans of limited means,
• how those needs should be prioritized,
• client eligibility requirements,
• services LAA should provide
• the level of compensation LAA should pay to the private bar, and;
• other sources of revenue or support-in-kind that could be developed for LAA

This review provides options to ensure that current and future service delivery of legal aid targets the appropriate, priority needs of Albertans. The review included consultations with stakeholders, the general public and LAA staff.

The final report has been submitted to the LAA Board and the Minister of Justice for consideration and approval. Over the next few months, LAA and Alberta Justice representatives will discuss which legal aid operational recommendations may be put in place. Ultimately, when the LAA Board seeks the Minister of Justice's approval of its 2010/2013 budget and business plan, it will also request approval of those recommendations that the LAA Board has determined a priority.

Although the Law Society of Alberta will not be involved in the operational and budgetary discussions, it will work with LAA in assessing the recommendations in the Review Report relating to the Law Society.

To download a copy of the full LAA Review Report, click here. To view the executive summary only, please click here.

For more information, please contact Jennifer Fowler (Director of Communications, LAA) at jfowler@legalaid.ab.ca or (780) 427-8742.