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Benchers Modify CPLED rules, Credentialing Process

by Douglas R. Mah, QC, Chair, Credentials & Education Committee

In its continuing effort to improve and streamline the education and admission process, the Benchers at their November 30, 2006 Convocation approved a series of changes to The Rules of the Law Society of Alberta. Firms and prospective principals, students and admission applicants are asked to note the following.

CPLED (Canadian Centre for Professional Legal Education)

Effective for the July 2007 session, persons who are not students-at-law or not otherwise under the jurisdiction of the LSA are not permitted to enroll in CPLED. This is necessary for jurisdictional purposes in individual cases where the LSA is required to exercise its regulatory powers in respect of a CPLED student.

The CPLED Program Director now has absolute authority to deal with the relationship between the student and the program in cases of academic misconduct. Such a case would then be dealt with by the Executive Director of the LSA as a conduct matter under the Legal Profession Act (LPA).

Repeated supplemental attempts for the same assignment or competency evaluation are not allowed. Only one supplemental attempt is allowed per assignment, with a maximum total of four supplementals allowed for all competency evaluations combined in a session. Similarly, only one supplemental attempt is allowed per competency evaluation, with a maximum total of three allowed for all competency evaluations combined in a session.

The latter two changes take effect immediately.

Credentialing

Effective immediately, the defect in delegation identified in Woods v. Law Society of Alberta, 2006 ABQB 610 has been rectified by an amendment to Rule 47.1. The Credentials and Education Committee has full delegated authority from the Benchers to waive or modify admission requirements under section 37(4) of the LPA due to special circumstances, and to hear appeals under section 43(2) in respect of certain enumerated matters (the CPLED course, transfer examinations, reinstatement examinations and certain decisions of the Executive Director under Part 2 of the Rules).

The general academic requirements for admission as a student-at-law can be met where either a Canadian law degree or, in the case of a foreign law degree, the obtaining of an equivalency certificate from the National Committee on Accreditation (NCA) is completed within the previous 3 years, regardless of when the foreign law degree was conferred. The previous rule required both the attainment of the foreign law degree and NCA equivalency within the same 3 year period.

Questions?

Refer to the Rules published on the LSA website at www.lawsocietyalberta.com. For CPLED matters, contact the CPLED Program. For credentialing matters, contact the LSA Membership Department.

CPLED

Interested In Becoming a CPLED Learning Group Facilitator?

CPLED Learning Group Facilitators provide assistance to CPLED students by providing feedback, practice experience, and evaluating student performance during online learning modules in the area of Business, Collections, Wills, Family, Real Estate, and Civil Litigation. If you have five years of practice experience, and some time to help new members of our profession, please contact Joan Copp or Anne Kaplan at (780) 420-1987 or 1-800-282-3900, or view our information circular and application form at: www.lesa.org/cpled.asp

Evening clinics need lawyers

The Edmonton Centre For Equal Justice is looking for lawyers to volunteer their time during Tuesday and Wednesday evening clinics. Our clients are people who are challenged by low incomes and need legal advice. We assist individuals in these civil legal matters: RTA Employment, Debt or Human Rights.

If you have an interest in committing your time and expertise, please contact Valerie Nelson @ 702-1725, Ext 104.