By Charles Lefebvre

Lawyers launch Alberta Limited Legal Services Project

Apr 20, 2017 | 12:10 PM

MEDICINE HAT, AB — Lawyers across the province have launched a pilot project to help improve Albertans’ access to justice services.

The Alberta Limited Legal Services Project launched on Monday, and features 43 lawyers from across the province agreeing to provided limited legal services for 18 months.

Limited legal services allow people to hire a lawyer for just one or two tasks rather than all of a case. Services include providing advice, coaching someone through a court application, or preparing an argument of affidavit.

Locally, lawyer Darin Wight is taking part in the project, and is the only one in Medicine Hat involved.

HERE'S WHAT TO KNOW

Summer pool hours extended and discounts applied as Big Marble Go Centre upgrades start

Apr 18, 2024

Medicine Hat company drawing in clients with witty signage

Apr 16, 2024

Medicine Hat College holding event for missing and murdered Indigenous women awareness day

Apr 16, 2024

Wight says the project could help people develop an understanding of the legal system and ways they can make it work for them. He adds it can also help ensure the court system runs smoothly

“The court system really gets bogged down by people who feel like they can’t afford a full retainer for a lawyer, so they try to do everything themselves,” he said.

“If they had help at points along the way, it would really speed things up and help things move more efficiently through the court process.”

The services are expected to help people navigate the court system, increase their chance of justice and improve their ability to respond to legal problems. The project will also provide research about the effects of limited legal services and their usefulness.

A full list of lawyers taking part in the project can be found here.