Wednesday, April 15, 2009

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In this issue:
• Task Force Project Plan Sees Broad Consultation
• 2009 Queen's Counsel Selection Process Underway

Task Force Project Plan Sees Broad Consultation

By Peter Michalyshyn, QC, President, Law Society of Alberta

Work continues on the Law Society of Alberta’s access to legal services initiative of looking at how non-lawyers might become increasingly involved in the delivery of legal services.

The Benchers agreed to examine this issue because of concern about the cost of legal services for middle and low income Albertans.

The Benchers have now considered the initial report of the Alternative Delivery of Legal Services task force, and a project plan that sees broad consultations unfolding toward June, 2009. At that time, it’s expected that issues will be identified that will help shape the alternative delivery of legal services project going forward.

Senior officials from Alberta Justice, in attendance for the April 2-3, 2009 Bencher meeting in Edmonton, expressed strong support for the law society’s initiative in this area, which itself dovetails with the Alberta Justice business plan "to explore policy options for removing barriers to access to justice related to the cost of legal services."

2009 Queen's Counsel Selection Process Underway

Every two years, Alberta lawyers may be recognized for their outstanding contributions to the legal profession or in public life by being appointed as Queen's Counsel.

The Minister of Justice, with the assistance of the Law Society of Alberta, has announced the process for reviewing the 2009 nominations.

All applications will be reviewed by a Queen’s Counsel Screening Committee. The committee will submit names to the Minister of Justice who will make the final selections.

The deadline for new applications is September 4, 2009.

For more details, visit www.lawsociety.ab.ca or
http://www.justice.gov.ab.ca/initiatives/

Welcome to New Bencher - Sarah King-D'Souza

At their meeting April 2-3, 2009 in Edmonton, the Benchers of the Law Society of Alberta welcomed new Bencher Sarah King-D'Souza.

Ms. King-D'Souza fills the vacancy created by the appointment of John Henderson to the Provincial Court of Alberta.

She currently practises family law and law office management at Family Law Office in Calgary. She was called to the Alberta bar in 1984.

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www.lawsociety.ab.ca
Law Society of Alberta
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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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