January 23, 2025

On Jan. 1, 2025, new Rules governing client identification and verification came into effect for Alberta lawyers. These Rules expand how lawyers can effectively verify their client’s identity and how they can use both agents and authentication technology to safeguard clients and their money and prevent money-laundering. 

On Jan. 21, the Law Society’s Manager, Trust Safety, Bernadette Charan and Practice Advisor, Jesse Mackenzie, hosted a webinar focused on lawyers’ anti-money laundering obligations and what the Rule changes mean for lawyers, including specific examples.  

To watch the webinar in full, download the slide deck and view our new anti-money laundering resources, visit the Law Society website. 

Canadian Centre for Professional Legal Education (CPLED): Applications for Virtual Law Firm Assessors and Capstone Evaluators 

Are you passionate about supporting aspiring lawyers in their learning journey? The Canadian Centre for Professional Legal Education (CPLED) is seeking lawyers to be Virtual Law Firm Assessors and Capstone Evaluators for a one-year contract.  

Practising and non-practising members of the Alberta bar with at least five years of active legal practice experience are eligible to apply. Further details and the online application form can be accessed through the CPLED Assessor and Evaluator Opportunities posting.  

The application deadline is Friday, Feb. 7, 2025. 

As part of the Justice Digital initiative, the Criminal Scheduling Request Service (CSRS) provides defence counsel and their legal assistants direct access to Court of Justice Adult Criminal file information to assist in scheduling an appearance.

CSRS is a secure web-based application that can be accessed via a computer, tablet or mobile phone. All CSRS search results display information from court data systems such as the Justice Online Information Network (JOIN) and Prosecutor Information System Manager (PRISM).

Counsel who are practising with their primary law firm in Alberta and are registered and in good standing with the Law Society of Alberta can access the service. Legal assistants may gain access to the service by linking their account to their principal counsel. Students-at-law, with the support of their supervising counsel, can also access the service.

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