Tuesday, October 28, 2008

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In this issue:
• New Client ID & Verification Rules Effective Dec 1, 2008
• Consultation on Common Law Degree
• DSA Award Deadline November 24, 2008
• 2009 LSA Committee Application

New Client ID & Verification Rules Effective Dec 1, 2008

Effective December 1, 2008, new rules on client identification and verification come into effect.

The Law Society of Alberta has based these requirements on a model rule developed by the Federation of Law Societies of Canada. These rules are part of a national initiative to fight fraud.

Visit www.lawsociety.ab.ca for more information on the application of the model rule in Alberta, and to download the sample forms. The Law Society of Alberta has posted on its website the following:

• Introduction and background
• Application of the model rule in Alberta
• the new Rules
• Guidelines, and
• Sample forms such as: Attestation for Verification of Identity, Verification of Identity Agreement, Verification of Identity for either individuals or organizations.

Law firms are encouraged to download these sample forms, modify them for their needs, and have them on hand for their own use.

Consultation on Common Law Degree

The Federation of Law Societies of Canada has released a consultation paper on the Canadian common law degree.

Authored by the Task Force on the Canadian Common Law Degree, the paper explores several issues related to legal education and approval of common law degrees for the purpose of entrance into law society bar admission and licensing programs.

Go to www.lawsociety.ab.ca to download the consultation paper. Alberta lawyers are encouraged to review the paper, and provide their comments by November 15, 2008 to:

Don Thompson, QC, Executive Director, Law Society of Alberta, 500, 919-11th Ave SW, Calgary, AB T2R 1P3. Fax: 403-228-1728 or by email to feedback@lawsociety.ab.ca 

DSA Award Deadline November 24, 2008

Do you know someone who has made an outstanding contribution to the community, to the profession, to legal scholarship or in pro bono legal service?

Please consider nominating someone for a 2009 Distinguished Service Award. The deadline for nominations is November 24, 2008.

The Distinguished Service Awards celebrate excellence in the legal profession. Jointly awarded by the Law Society of Alberta and the Canadian Bar Association Alberta, these prestigious awards recognize the numerous outstanding contributions Alberta lawyers make.

The 2009 Distinguished Service Awards will be presented at the Alberta Law Conference on January 30, 2009 in Edmonton, AB. For more details or to download a nomination form, visit www.lawsociety.ab.ca

2009 LSA Committee Application

The Law Society of Alberta seeks volunteers interested in serving on a committee.

Committee service is an excellent way to get involved with the Law Society of Alberta. Most LSA issues either begin at the committee level, or are referred to committees for further examination and recommendations before being brought to the Benchers for consideration.

Committee service offers tremendous professional development opportunities, and a way to meet other members of Alberta's legal community. Committee membership is a one-year commitment with related expenses covered by the LSA. Deadline for applications is December 31, 2008. For more information or to download a form, visit www.lawsociety.ab.ca

Printable Version

www.lawsociety.ab.ca
Law Society of Alberta
Calgary Office
Suite 500, 919 11th Avenue SW
Calgary, Alberta T2R 1P3
Phone: 403-229-4700

Edmonton Office
201 10060 Jasper Avenue,
Edmonton, Alberta T5J 3R8
Phone: 780-429-3343

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