Students

If you wish to become a member of the legal profession in Alberta, you must be of good character and reputation, meet the academic qualifications, successfully complete a bar admission course and serve a term of articles. 

See sections 37(1) and 40(1) of the Legal Profession Act.

You must have obtained a Canadian common law degree or an equivalent qualification, after which you may then apply for student-at-law status. The LSA admission program requires completion of an articling term (usually a 12-month period) and successful completion of Centre for Professional Legal Education course (CPLED). If you have completed a term of clerkship with the courts, your articling term may be reduced to a five-month requirement.

Becoming a Student-at-Law
Articling
CPLED
Enrolling as a Member of the Law Society of Alberta

Becoming a Student-at-Law

In order to become a student-at-law, you must:

Review the Articling Manual and the Articling Handbook

Complete and submit the following documents and fees:

• Application for Admission for Student-at-Law (Form 2-1)
• Certificate of Character and Reputation – two required (Form 2-4)
• Education Plan – (Form 2-5 completed by lawyer or Form 2-6 completed by judge)
• Articles of Clerkship – (Form 2-8 completed by lawyer or Form 2-9 completed by judge)
• Last page of Articling Manual (completed by principal)
• Certificate of Standing from each governing body of which you are or have been a member, in or outside of Canada
• Official law school transcript, which must be sent directly to the LSA from the law school
• Application and admission fees. See Fee Schedule for the current fee information. This is payable by internet banking or by cheque to the Law Society of Alberta

All forms are to be provided by fax or mail to LSA Membership Services, or email the Membership Department.

Additional Information

Approval to Provide Legal Services
Before you can provide legal services, you must receive the written approval from the LSA. Time spent working prior to this approval does not quality toward the required term of articles.

Deadlines to Submit Documentation - 30-Day Rule
The required documents listed above must be received by the LSA at least 30 days prior to your proposed articling commencement date.

The LSA’s executive director may abridge the 30-day requirement. To request abridgment, you must apply, in writing, identifying your reasons for inability to comply with the 30-day requirement. Reasons for inability to meet the 30-day requirement must have arisen from exceptional circumstances.

You and your proposed principal must certify to the nature of the exceptional circumstances.

For further information, consult Rule 51 of the Rules of the Law Society of Alberta.

Receipt of Transcripts
When applying to be a student-at-law, and you are unable to provide an official transcript confirming your law degree has been granted, the LSA will accept written confirmation from the dean of your law school that you have met all requirements of the degree.

Complete Disclosure
If you have responded ‘yes’ to any of the questions listed on your application for admission, you must provide full disclosure, and include all official documentation. That could include court documents, bankruptcy discharge documentation, and medical reports.

Articling

Changing Firms or Principals during your articling term
If you must change firms and or principals during your articling term, you must file an assignment of articles form with the LSA. Your assignment of articles must be approved by the LSA prior to working with your next firm or principal.

Complete and submit the following documents and fees:

• Assignment of Articles of Clerkship (Form 2-10)
• Education Plan (Form 2-5)
• Certificate of Principal (Form 2-12 completed by principal you are leaving)
• Evaluation Certificate (Form 2-7 competed by you and principal you are leaving)
• Application fee (See fee schedule for the current fee information). This is payable by internet banking or by cheque to the Law Society of Alberta.

All forms are to be provided by fax or mail to LSA Membership Services, or email the Membership Department.

All parties will receive written notification of the change.

Evaluation Certificate
An Evaluation Certificate (Form 2-7) must be submitted to the LSA six months after commencement of articles. An evaluation guideline checklist is available assist you in conducting an evaluation.

Termination of Articles
A request to terminate articles must be made in writing to the Law Society of Alberta. There is no formal application form.

Where the principal and student-at-law jointly apply for termination of articles, the executive director of the LSA may grant the application. This application must be signed by both the principal and student-at-law.

Where the principal and student-at-law are unable to jointly apply, for whatever reason, the application will be considered by the Credentials and Education committee of the LSA.

See Rule 57.3 for more information.

Advice During Articles
Practice advisory services are available to all students-at-law for confidential professional advice regarding legal, ethical and practice concerns.

CPLED

Students seeking admission to the Law Society of Alberta must successfully complete all the requirements of Alberta’s CPLED Program.

For more information, view the CPLED information circular

CPLED contact info
Joan C. Copp
Deputy Director, CPLED Program
2610, 10104 - 103 Avenue
Edmonton, Alberta T5J 0H8
Phone: (780) 420-1987 or 1-800-282-3900 (Toll free in Alberta)
Fax: (780) 425-0885
E-mail: joan.copp@cpled.ca

LESA website

Enrolling as a Member

Upon completion of the required articling term and requirements of CPLED, you are eligible to become a member of the LSA.

Before Becoming Eligible for Membership
Prior to completing articles you should arrange your call ceremony. The ceremony at the courthouse should be scheduled at least 30 days after completion of your articles and CPLED.

Notify the LSA in writing or email of your ceremony date, court being called at and name of judge or judges presiding.

Required Documentation as a Member
The LSA will provide you with instructions and required documents once you have been deemed eligible for membership.

Complete and submit the following documents and fees:

• Application by a Student-at-Law for Enrolment as a Member (Form 2-14)
• Certificate of Character and Reputation – two required (Form 2-4)
• Certificate of Student-at-Law (Form 2-11)
• Certificate of Principal (Form 2-12)
• Membership and Insurance forms (provided by LSA)
• Proof of Canadian Citizenship (only if not previously provided)
• Membership fee and insurance levy (LSA will provide details)

All forms are to be provided by fax or mail to LSA Membership Services, or email the Membership Department.

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