April 8, 2020
Navigating Student Recruitment During COVID-19
If a firm or organization has an employment agreement in place with a 1L or 2L summer student, the exemption under the recruiting Rules to offer that student an articling position outside of the prescribed recruitment period applies.

Even if the start date of the 1L or 2L student is delayed due to the circumstances around the COVID-19 pandemic, the firm or organization can still offer that student an articling position before the articling recruitment period if an employment agreement exists .

The 2020 recruitment period is from June 1 - June 12, 2020. Employers may only make offers of employment after 8 a.m. on the second Tuesday of the recruitment period (June 9). The Law Society is not considering moving the articling student recruitment period. Employers are encouraged to abide by social distancing orders in place during the recruitment period and use video conferencing and other digital services to facilitate the interview and recruitment process.

We have more information on how to support articling students working remotely here. 

Please note that the Law Society has made  recent changes to articling requirements due to COVID-19 that were announced on April 6. 
Updated Guidance: Video Conference Witnessing and Commissioning of Documents Submitted to Land Titles for Registration
The Law Society has updated our guidance related to the April 3 announcement of temporary allowance for registration of Land Titles documents that have been witnessed, sworn or affirmed by Alberta lawyers using video conference. The guidance updates include:
  • clarification of the use of video conferencing to complete Dower Act forms; and
  • streamlining the guidance with regard to witnessing and commissioning affidavits by video conference.
Ministerial Order from Community and Social Services
This Ministerial Order allows emergency protection orders under the Protection Against Family Violence Act and Regulation to be done via telecommunication.
Working Remotely? Check out LESA’s Electronically Available Resources  
With physical distancing measures increasing, many are finding new ways to be effective in their practice while working remotely. The Legal Education Society of Alberta (LESA) is available to assist throughout this transition. With a wide range of electronically available resources, LESA remains able to support your professional development needs, wherever you are currently working.

Visit their website for Alberta-specific legal information you can access from anywhere, at anytime. 

Please email info@lesa.org for more information.
Remote Access to WestlawNext Canada to Support Research During COVID-19
Alberta Law Libraries is offering a limited number of WestlawNext Canada temporary logins for registered members. These logins provide access to WestlawNext Canada, including LawSource, FamilySource, CriminalSource and the 34 Proview titles listed here.

For more information, read this article or email LawLibrary@just.gov.ab.ca.