CPD Tool Planning Period Opening Date 

The Law Society’s online Continuing Professional Development Tool (CPD Tool) provides opportunities for lawyers to engage with their CPD plans throughout the year. The CPD planning period for the 2024-25 CPD year opens Aug. 1, 2024. Alberta lawyers who were not required to submit a CPD plan for the 2023-2024 CPD year can still voluntarily submit a CPD plan until June 15. After this date, lawyers can note any professional development goals they would like to focus on for next year and include these in their 2024-2025 CPD plan once the CPD planning period opens.  

As you look ahead to your 2024-2025 CPD, we encourage you to familiarize yourself with the CPD Tool’s Year-End Reflection feature, now available in the CPD Tool menu.

Lawyers are encouraged to use the Year-End Reflection feature for competencies they focused on throughout the year to determine if they met their goals as well as plan for the next CPD year. The CPD Tool will guide you through assessing whether your proficiency rating for each competency has changed and record any final notes or observations. Both the Track Progress and Year-End Reflection features will remain open until Sept. 30, when the 2023-2024 CPD cycle ends. 

For more information about the CPD Tool and planning period, visit our website.

Practice Advisor Online Scheduling Tool Now Available

As part of the Law Society's efforts to improve access and increase availability to the profession, the Office of the Practice Advisor piloted an online scheduling tool last summer to assist in streamlining their contact with the profession. The pilot was successful and the tool is available on our website. The tool allows lawyers, legal support staff and articling students to book a time to consult with a Practice Advisor. 

The Practice Advisors receive a significant number of inquiries every day, which can often result in back-and-forth communications – games of “phone tag” – before they are able to connect with the caller. The scheduling tool mitigates this issue. The program is simple and easy to use from any web browser or mobile device. Once someone has booked their appointment, they will receive a confirmation email with links to cancel or reschedule as needed. 

Lawyers, articling students and legal support staff can continue to call the Practice Advisor line at 1.866.440.4640 or email the general inbox with their inquiries if that is their preferred method of contact. The Practice Advisors do not provide advice to members of the public. Members of the public looking for help or advice should contact our Customer Service team or visit our Find a Lawyer resource. 

For more information, visit our website or contact the Office of the Practice Advisor.  

National Indigenous History Month 2024

June is National Indigenous History Month in Canada, which also coincides with National Pride Month. 

In her article, Jessica Buffalo, Indigenous Initiatives Counsel, shares insights about the history of the Indigenous and Two-Spirit community, as well as information about educational events taking place this month that can help us reflect on how we can continue to work towards reconciliation. 

Court of King's Bench Announcement

Revised Civil Practice Note 1 and Commercial Practice Note 1 – Effective July 2, 2024

The Court has revised Civil Practice Note 1 and Commercial Practice Note 1. Many minor changes have been made to accurately reflect current contact information and scheduling practices. 

View the full announcement for more information.

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