Free Legal Aid in Alberta
If you cannot afford a private lawyer, you are not without options. Legal Aid Alberta, duty counsel, and Calgary Legal Guidance all provide free or low-cost legal assistance to Albertans who qualify. Here is exactly what is available and how to access it.
You Are Not Alone in This
Not being able to afford a private criminal defence lawyer does not mean you face the system alone. Alberta has several programs designed to provide free or subsidized legal assistance to people who cannot afford full private representation. Understanding what each program offers, who qualifies, and how to access it quickly is what this page is for.
If your first court date is approaching and you do not yet have a lawyer, go directly to the courthouse where your matter is being heard and ask for duty counsel before your case is called. It costs nothing and they are there specifically to help people in your situation.
Four Options for Free or Low-Cost Help
Duty Counsel
Duty counsel are lawyers funded by Legal Aid Alberta who are present at Calgary courthouses to assist unrepresented individuals. There is no income requirement and no application process. Duty counsel is free to every Albertan who needs it.
If you are attending court without a lawyer, duty counsel can speak to the Crown prosecutor on your behalf, help you attempt to secure bail, assist with adjusting your court date, and in some circumstances attempt to divert your charges into an extrajudicial program like the Alternative Measures Program. They can also help you enter a guilty plea or postpone your matter to give you more time to retain a lawyer privately.
Duty counsel provides limited services for individual court appearances. They are not in a position to provide full representation throughout your case. If your matter requires ongoing representation, duty counsel will direct you to Legal Aid Alberta or advise you to retain a private lawyer.
Duty counsel is assigned to the following Calgary courts: criminal adult and youth courts, drug treatment court, disciplinary hearings at correctional facilities, emergency protection order confirmation hearings, Mental Health Review panel hearings, and Provincial Court and Court of King's Bench family and child welfare dockets.
- Legal Services Centre:
- 1.866.845.3425
- Tip:
- Call before attending court if possible.
Legal Aid Alberta
Legal Aid Alberta provides full legal representation for criminal matters to individuals whose income falls within the financial eligibility guidelines. If you qualify, Legal Aid Alberta can appoint a private lawyer to represent you throughout your case at no cost to you.
Eligibility is based on your net family income for the last 30 days and last 12 months, your family size, and your assets. A family for these purposes includes you, your spouse or common-law partner, and any dependent children.
Income includes employment earnings, income support, child support, spousal support, lottery winnings, insurance settlements, and most other sources of money received. Legal Aid Alberta considers some deductions including child support payments made, spousal support paid, and daycare fees.
| Family Size | Monthly Income | Annual Income |
|---|---|---|
| 1 person | $1,638/month | $20,021/year |
| 2 people | $2,066/month | $24,788/year |
| 3 people | $2,940/month | $35,275/year |
| 4 people | $3,178/month | $38,134/year |
| 5 people | $3,416/month | $40,995/year |
| 6 people | $3,655/month | $43,855/year |
These figures are subject to change. Visit legalaid.ab.ca to confirm current eligibility thresholds.
- Free Legal Aid Hotline:
- 1.866.845.3425
- Website:
- www.legalaid.ab.ca
Calgary Legal Guidance
Calgary Legal Guidance is a non-profit organization whose members include both lawyers and law students. It exists to fill the gap between people who qualify for Legal Aid and those who do not, providing legal assistance to lower-income individuals who are not facing jail time.
Calgary Legal Guidance most commonly assists with minor summary charges including public mischief, theft under $5,000, and common assault in a non-domestic context.
If you do not qualify for Legal Aid Alberta and your charges are at the minor end of the spectrum with no risk of custody, Calgary Legal Guidance may be able to help.
- Legal Helpline:
- 403-234-9266
- Website:
- clg.ab.ca
Student Legal Assistance
Student Legal Assistance is a program run by the University of Calgary Faculty of Law. Law student caseworkers, supervised by qualified lawyers, can assist individuals facing minor summary conviction offences who meet government income criteria.
This is a supervised student clinic and is appropriate for straightforward minor matters. For anything beyond a minor summary offence, private counsel or Legal Aid Alberta is the appropriate path.
- Program:
- University of Calgary Faculty of Law
- Website:
- studentlegalassistance.com
What Duty Counsel Can and Cannot Do For You
This section matters because most people do not understand the limits of what duty counsel provides until they are standing in a courthouse expecting more than duty counsel can deliver.
What Duty Counsel Can Do
- Speak to the Crown prosecutor on your behalf before your matter is called.
- Help you understand what is happening with your matter and what to expect in court that day.
- Assist you in seeking bail at your first appearance.
- Request an adjournment to give you more time to retain a lawyer or apply for Legal Aid.
- In some cases, attempt to divert your charges into the Alternative Measures Program.
- Help you enter a guilty plea if that is your decision.
What Duty Counsel Cannot Do
- Provide full representation across multiple court appearances. Their service is limited to the appearance you are attending.
- Conduct a full review of your disclosure, prepare a trial defence, make detailed pre-trial applications, or represent you through a trial or sentencing hearing.
- If your matter requires any of those steps, which most criminal matters do, duty counsel will direct you to apply for Legal Aid Alberta or retain a private lawyer.
When a Private Lawyer Is the Right Answer
Free legal aid programs provide real value for minor matters and for getting through a first appearance without being entirely on your own. But they have real limits.
For any matter that involves:
- A realistic possibility of jail time.
- Multiple charges.
- A trial.
- Pre-trial Charter applications.
- Serious consequences for your employment, immigration status, or professional licensing.
The difference between the outcome you get with experienced private counsel and the outcome you get with limited duty counsel assistance is significant and lasting.
Our initial consultation is free, carries no obligation, and gives you a clear picture of what you are facing and what full representation would look like for your specific situation.
Emergency Legal Contacts in Alberta
Legal Aid Alberta
- Phone:
- 1.866.845.3425
- Website:
- legalaid.ab.ca
- Hours:
- Monday to Friday business hours
Duty Counsel (Legal Services Centre)
- Phone:
- 1.866.845.3425
- Note:
- Call before attending court
Calgary Legal Guidance
- Phone:
- 403-234-9266
- Website:
- clg.ab.ca
Hoare Claxton Criminal Defence
- Phone:
- (587) 355-8889
- Available:
- 24 hours a day
- Note:
- Free initial consultation
Frequently Asked Questions
What is duty counsel and do I have to pay for it?+
Duty counsel are lawyers funded by Legal Aid Alberta who are available at Calgary courthouses to assist unrepresented accused persons. There is no cost to use duty counsel and there is no income requirement. Every Albertan appearing in court without a lawyer is entitled to speak to duty counsel before their matter is called. Duty counsel can speak to the Crown on your behalf, help you apply for an adjournment, and assist with bail at your first appearance. Their services are limited to the appearance you are attending and they cannot provide ongoing full representation.
How do I qualify for Legal Aid Alberta?+
Legal Aid Alberta eligibility is based on your net family income for the last 30 days and last 12 months, your family size, and your assets. If your monthly income falls within the financial eligibility guidelines for your family size, you may qualify for full legal representation at no cost. A family of one must have a monthly income at or below $1,638 to potentially qualify. A family of four must be at or below $3,178 per month. Contact Legal Aid Alberta directly at 1.866.845.3425 to assess your eligibility.
What if my income is too high for Legal Aid but I cannot afford a private lawyer?+
Calgary Legal Guidance may be able to help if your charges are minor summary offences and you are not facing jail time. Calgary Legal Guidance is a non-profit organization that fills the gap between Legal Aid eligibility and the cost of private representation for lower-income individuals. Their helpline number in Calgary is 403-234-9266. Student Legal Assistance at the University of Calgary is another option for straightforward minor matters if you meet income criteria.
What should I do if I have a court date tomorrow and no lawyer?+
Go to the courthouse where your matter is being heard and ask to speak to duty counsel before your case is called. Duty counsel is available at Calgary criminal courts at no cost and with no income requirement. They can speak to the Crown on your behalf and request an adjournment to give you more time to retain a lawyer or apply for Legal Aid. You can also call the Legal Services Centre at 1.866.845.3425 before attending court if possible.
Can duty counsel represent me through my whole case?+
No. Duty counsel provides assistance for individual court appearances, not ongoing full representation. If your matter requires a trial, pre-trial applications, or representation across multiple court appearances, you will need to either apply for Legal Aid Alberta or retain a private lawyer. Duty counsel will advise you of this at your first appearance and can help you apply for an adjournment to give you time to make those arrangements.
Is the Hoare Claxton initial consultation actually free?+
Yes. Our initial consultation is completely free of charge and carries no obligation. We will not pressure you to retain us. The purpose of the consultation is to give you an honest assessment of your situation so you can make an informed decision about how to proceed. Call (587) 355-8889 to arrange a consultation at any time.
Not Sure Which Option Is Right For You?
Call us. We will give you an honest assessment of your situation and tell you straight whether private representation makes sense for your specific case or whether one of the free options above is the right starting point.
Call (587) 355-8889. Free consultation. Available 24 hours a day.
Free consultation. Strictly confidential. No obligation.