2023/24 King's Counsel Process

The Minister of Justice and Solicitor General has announced that the 2023/24 application for King's Counsel (KC) appointment is now open. View the letter to the profession.

KC appointments will be awarded to lawyers who are found to have made a significant contribution to the legal profession or public life in the province, as determined by the Lieutenant Governor in Council. This is done under the authority of the King’s Counsel Act.

Applications

Applications will be accepted starting today, Friday, Sept. 29, 2023. The deadline for applications is Friday, Nov. 10, 2023, at 4:30 p.m. The 2023/24 KC appointment application is available on the Government of Alberta website. Physical submissions and nominations will not be accepted.

All applications must include the following documentation:

• The completed web form;
• Current resumé (do not include a cover letter);
• Consent to disclosure of personal information; and,
• Three individually attached letters of reference, to a maximum of two pages per letter. In order to comply with the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act, each letter of reference must state as follows:

"This letter may be disclosed to Alberta Justice, the Law Society of Alberta, the King’s Counsel Screening Committee, and as otherwise required for use in the King’s Counsel selection process."

As mentioned above, nominations will not be accepted. If an individual thinks a particular lawyer ought to receive a KC appointment, the individual may suggest the lawyer submit an application and the individual could be a reference for that lawyer.

Review Process

All completed application packages will be reviewed by the King's Counsel Screening Committee. In accordance with the King’s Counsel Act (Alberta), individuals are evaluated based on their years at the bar (minimum 10 years at the bar, five of which are in Alberta) as well as detailed criteria. The criteria includes legal experience (competence and professional qualities), contributions (to the administration of justice, to the community and to the legal profession) and equality. 

The awarding of the King's Counsel designation is solely within the discretion of the Lieutenant Governor in Council. King's Counsel recipients will be announced by the Alberta Government in Spring 2024 and the KC ceremony will take place as soon as practicable thereafter. To review more information on King's Counsel appointments read the Minister's letter or view the King's Counsel webpage. Further questions about the KC application process can be directed to [email protected].

National Day for Truth and Reconciliation Office Closure – Monday, Oct. 2, 2023

Please note that the Law Society and Alberta Lawyer’s Indemnity Association offices are closed on Monday, Oct. 2, 2023 to observe the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation.

For assistance in submitting a CPD plan over the weekend, please email Education or call 587.391.6423 and a staff member will respond to your inquiry as soon as possible. 

We will reopen at 8 a.m. for regular business hours on Tuesday, Oct. 3.

Psychological First Aid – Self-Care Offer

World Mental Health Day is observed on Oct. 10 every year to raise awareness around the world and mobilize efforts in support of mental health. This year the Law Society is offering to cover the registration cost for a select number of lawyers and articling students to complete the online Canadian Red Cross Psychological First Aid - Self-Care course. 

In this short self-directed course, you will learn about the types, causes and effects of stress and trauma; strategies to prevent, recognize and cope with stress; and how to develop and implement a personal self-care plan. This course is for anyone interested in self-care practices that promote psychological well-being.

The registration cost will be covered for the first 100 lawyers and articling students who express interest. To access the coupon code to register for the course please contact Education.  

Below are other events, resources and ways you can participate in World Mental Health Day: 

• Attend the Canadian Bar Association – Alberta branch Suicide Awareness Presentation. 
• Access the services of Assist or volunteer to support your peers. All services are provided on a confidential basis and no disclosure of use of these services is made to the Law Society. You can also check out the many resources on Assist’s website. 
• Check out the Law Society’s Resource Centre, including a resource package from the Well-Being in Practice summit we co-hosted in October 2022.  
• Take our new Reflective Practice course, which helps to build self-awareness, to more easily adapt and apply new information and to think about mistakes and misses as opportunities to learn. 
• Contribute to creating a safe and supportive environment at your workplace that lets your colleagues know everyone needs help at some point in their life and career. 

Reminder: Transfers Between Trust Ledgers

Non-compliance with the rules related to transfers between trust ledgers has emerged as a common observation during trust safety audits. A reminder that understanding trust fund transfers is a key practice that demonstrates your law firm’s commitment to trust obligations and safeguarding client funds.

Client Trust Fund Transfers:

• Always obtain clear client direction for trust fund transfers.
• Support transfers with a signed and dated transfer document.
• Include the amount, approval date, transfer date, source file and destination file.
• Maintain the transfer document with the client file.

Use the Matter-to-Matter Trust Transfers template on our website to track this information, or build an internal document that works for you, ensuring it captures all required information.

Review Process:

• Review transfer documents diligently to make sure they meet client instructions.
• Verify the accuracy of recorded details, including source and destination files, amounts, and dates.
• Ensure consistency between the client trust ledger and the transfer document.

Monthly review of the transfer journal as part of the bank reconciliation process is essential. This practice safeguards the validity and accuracy of all matter-to-matter transfers.

Adhering to Rule 119.33 of the Rules of the Law Society of Alberta is crucial for compliance for responsible lawyers.

If you have any questions regarding trust fund transfers, contact the Law Society’s Trust Safety team by email or phone at 403.228.5632.

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