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Mona Duckett

Strengthening an independent bar while serving the public interest

With the strategic plan in hand, developed in 2005, the Law Society of Alberta has taken on key initiatives this year to strengthen an independent bar while serving the public interest.

Benchers in 2006 began to tackle key issues such a continuing professional development for Alberta lawyers and trust account safety among others. The legal profession in Alberta, as well as those in other Canadian jurisdictions, are very fortunate to be able to self regulate. As such, we are cognizant of the need to re-examine what we do and how we do in order to more effectively achieve our strategic plan goals.

The Law Society of Alberta is mandated to serve the public interest, and to ensure that the public can access the legal system through a strong and independent bar. The Society regulates and governs all Alberta lawyers so that the public in our communities can be assured that lawyers, as the professionals, can enforce their rights, protect their interests and resolve their disputes zealously and loyally. By enhancing Alberta lawyers’ ability to act competently and ethically, we strengthen the independent bar, one of the most fundamental parts of the Canadian legal system. Our mission is, and continues to be, to serve the public interest by promoting a high standard of legal services and professional conduct through the governance and regulation of an independent legal profession. Some of the notable recommendations and initiatives undertaken this year include:
  • Making it easier for the public to obtain information about a lawyers’ conduct record, including information about specific conduct proceedings. The Law Society is implementing several recommendations made by the Benchers to help the public get this and other information in an efficient, easy to understand format.
  • Supporting modest fee increases through to 2009 to support the continued development of the Canadian Legal Information Institute (CanLII).

  • Hosting a conference of law society auditors and investigators to facilitate the sharing of information and experiences, as well as relationship building between law societies. By understanding best practices in this area, the Law Society is moving closer towards its vision of becoming a model regulator.

  • Taking a more focused approach to risk management, and taking steps to integrate risk management into the delivery of regulatory services. The Law Society currently has programs and processes in place to assess, address and manage risky practices. In addition to these initiatives, Benchers, volunteers and staff of the Law Society continued to make presentations to groups throughout Alberta on topics such as ethics, practice advice, trust accounting, etc. We continued to review and update rules, such as the Advertising Rules, to ensure the most effective regulation of practicing lawyers. The highlights of the past year further illustrate the milestones and achievements of our strategic plan.




Mona Duckett, QC
President, Law Society of Alberta
2006-2007
Law Society of Alberta Vision
The Law Society of Alberta will be recognized as a model for protecting the public interest and preserving the fundamental principles of justice through a self-regulated, independent and trusted legal profession. 		Mission
To serve the public interest by promoting a high standard of legal services and professional conduct through the governance and regulation of an independent legal profession.


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