The Alberta “QB Amicus” program is an excellent example of the collaboration and innovation that is emerging as a result of increased attention being paid to access to justice issues for self-represented litigants.
This initiative – a collaboration among Pro Bono Law Alberta (PBLA), Pro Bono Students Canada, private law firms, Student Legal Assistance, the Children’s Legal and Educational Resource Centre and the Court of Queen’s Bench,- began as a Calgary-based pilot in October 2013. From January 2014, the program expanded to three days a week, offering self-represented litigants appearing in Masters Chambers “storefront” summary legal advice, assistance with document preparation, assistance in chambers and education on court procedures, as well as appropriate onward referrals.
