October 6, 2021
October 2021 Bencher Recap Video
In our October 2021 edition of the Bencher Recap video, Law Society of Alberta President, Darlene Scott, QC, and President-Elect, Ken Warren, QC, discuss:

  • the creation of an Innovation Sandbox, where legal service providers are encouraged to develop innovative models for the delivery of legal services that cannot currently be offered due to regulatory requirements;
  • the approval of the Articling Placement Program to assist articling students who are in unsafe or untenable articles due to harassment or discrimination with exiting their current position and continuing their articles with a new firm;
  • the changes to the Trust Safety Rules that will go into effect on Jan. 1, 2022; and
  • the suspension of the mandatory Continuing Professional Development (CPD) filing requirement for an additional year.
Court Notice to the Public and the Profession

The Court of Appeal of Alberta, the Court of Queen’s Bench of Alberta and the Provincial Court of Alberta (the Courts) have a responsibility to provide a safe location for all individuals who voluntarily come to or who are compelled to attend court. In furtherance of this responsibility, the Courts announced on Sept. 21, 2021 their respective Policies on the need to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 to access secure Court workspaces.

The Courts now provide notice that effective Nov. 1, 2021, all Court staff, including clerks and court technology personnel, and Sheriffs must be fully vaccinated to access courtrooms in Alberta courthouses.
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