CanLaw: About Your Law Society
Where can I file a complaint against a lawyer?
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HOW TO FILE A COMPLAINT ABOUT YOUR LAWYER WITH THE LAW SOCIETY OF ALBERTA
COMPLAINT ABOUT AN ALBERTA LAWYER or PARALEGAL?
HOW, WHERE, WHEN, WHY TO COMPLAIN.
What steps you need to take and what you need to know
to file a formal complaint against any Alberta lawyer or paralegal.
You also need to know if there are any complaints
against any paralegal or lawyer, any discipline history, reviews and if they are in good standing.
The Alberta Law Society will not pay you money or
make a lawyer or paralegal pay you money because of his or her mistake.
How do I rate my lawyer?
PLEASE RATE YOUR LAWYER
SO OTHERS CAN BENEFIT
FROM YOUR EXPERIENCE
Good, Bad, Indifferent?
Would you recommend your lawyer or law firm?
Would you retain or hire again?
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Ask CanLaw for a Reference Check Before You Hire or Retain a Lawyer in Canada. You need to check the reputation of the law office and lawyers before you provide a retainer to hire any lawyer or paralegal.
There is not much point in asking us after you have hired some lawyer, is there?
You also need to know if there are complaints against any paralegal or lawyer, any discipline history, or suspension or any bad reviews and if they are in good standing.
How do I complain to my law society?
Lawyer Complaints?
What is considered a complaint?
YOU PROBABLY HAVE A
VALID COMPLAINT IF:
- A lawyer fails to tell you what's happening in your case.
- A lawyer does not reply to your phone calls or letters.
- A lawyer is working for opposing sides in the same case.
- A lawyer has told other people about a client's confidential matters without the client's permission.
- A lawyer is working for a client against someone who used to be a client.
- A lawyer's cheque is returned NSF.
- A lawyer acts for a client when the lawyer is in business with the client.
- A lawyer is rude.
- If a lawyer lied to me.
- A lawyer does not appear to be able to handle your case, whether through lack of knowledge or other problems.
- A lawyer fails to account for funds held on the client's behalf.
- A lawyer has stolen your money.
- A lawyer is facing criminal charges.
- TRANSPARENCY REGARDING FEES. A lawyer has a responsibility to disclose to the client at the start of the relationship the basis on which the client is to be billed for both the lawyer’s fees and any other charges in a clear transparent manner that the client can understand.
- Lawyers and Students-at-Law are required to uphold a high standard of conduct in their professional and personal lives.
KNOW THE RULES
IT WILL HELP YOUR COMPLAINT!
- Review the Code of Professional Conduct for the Law Society which can be obtained from the Society's web site. Use and read the Code to help organize your complaint.
- You can find links to each of the law society rules by using the MENU ABOUT YOUR LAW SOCIETY button above to go to the law society page for your province.
- It is better if you can say that the lawyer violated rule # xxx by doing what she did or did not do.
- This organizes your material and shows you have done your homework.
- HINT: Keep your complaint calm and rational. Avoid name calling, abuse and threats.
- Try to stick to the facts and avoid all emotion. It isn't easy, but it is smart.
Most complaints to any Law Society are dismissed. Most complaints are simply frivolous and few have any real merit. Complaints should be filed on the slight chance that they will have an impact.
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DO YOU QUALIFY FOR LEGAL AID?
Do You Need Legal Aid to Help Pay Your Lawyer? Do you qualify for legal aid?
Need Free Legal Advice? Can't afford a lawyer or paralegal?
Legal Aid assists low income persons accused of serious criminal offences who are facing jail sentences, and for youths charged, anywhere in Canada.
Who qualifies for Legal Aid?
Click here to see how to apply for legal aid.
IS YOUR LAWYER'S BILL TOO HIGH?
Do you have a complaint about your lawyer's bill? Consult the CanLaw page on getting a lawyer's bill reduced.
Bill problems, known as an assessment, is not done by the Law Society.
Assessment of your lawyer's bills is done through the Court. You must act within 30 days of getting a bill to file a complaint.
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