PBLA is excited to announce that its Court-Based programs – the Civil Claims Duty Counsel (CCDC) Project will resume in-person on January 9, 2023. After two years of administering the programs virtually, we are pleased to be returning to the Calgary and Edmonton Courthouses to deliver in-person programming. While the default mode for program delivery will be in person, we are offering a few virtual shifts on a pilot basis for self-represented litigants who cannot physically attend our program offices in Calgary or Edmonton.

Due to recent changes in court naming conventions, our Queen’s Bench Court Assistance Program has been rebranded as the King’s Bench Court Assistance Program (“KB Amicus Program”). This rebranding is a name change only and does not change the objective and scope of the KB Amicus Program.

While the programs will be delivered both in person and virtually, much of the program scope and process will remain the same. Self-represented litigants with civil matters in Provincial Court and the Court of King’s Bench who apply for assistance and meet program criteria will be able to receive up to 30 minutes of free legal advice from a volunteer lawyer. Through the King’s Bench Amicus Program, self-represented litigants with civil matters in Applications Judge and Justice Chambers can also receive assistance with regular morning chambers applications in person.

For in-person assistance at the Calgary and Edmonton courthouses, no appointment or pre-registration is required; the programs operate on a first-come, first-served basis. Click here for program schedules and more information.

Applications for virtual assistance (excluding morning chambers assistance in the KB Amicus Program) can be submitted on PBLA’s website or by leaving a message at 403-541-4804. Clients with eligible requests will be contacted with additional information about their virtual appointment, including how to fill out waivers, review our terms of service, and share case documents with and connect to a volunteer lawyer.