To further improve access to legal services in Alberta, the Approved Legal Services Provider (ALSP) program creates a clear process for established and new pro bono organizations to provide their legal services to the public.

As of July 1, 2019, pro bono organizations can apply to the Law Society to become an ALSP. Approval as an ALSP is beneficial for all parties involved:

• As a provider, your organization is recognized as an ALSP on our public website, and you can communicate your status as an ALSP to the public.
• As a lawyer who is otherwise exempt from indemnity coverage, you are covered for volunteer legal services provided through an ALSP.
• As a client, you have improved transparency regarding the standards that ALSPs meet.

View the full list of Approved Legal Services Providers here.

Eligibility Criteria

To be eligible to become an ALSP, organizations must meet the following eligibility criteria:

In order to operate, an Approved Legal Services provider must be an entity, organization or program, excluding for-profit endeavours, delivering or facilitating the delivery of pro bono legal services to the public in Alberta.

Pro bono legal services are services delivered for the public good. The public good is achieved in a variety of ways, including making legal services accessible to those who might otherwise not have access to such services.

An Approved Legal Services Provider does not have to be a legal entity, such as a not-for-profit or a society. Other entities, such as projects, consortiums, networks, etc., may apply to be an Approved Legal Services Provider.

For-profit endeavours, organizations and entities listed in Rule 2(1) of the Rules of the Law Society of Alberta are not eligible to make an application under Rule 2(1.2).

Apply to be an ALSP

Are you interested in applying to become an Approved Legal Services Provider? Read our Application Guide for information on eligibility criteria and the application process.

If your organization meets the eligibility criteria, please complete and submit the application below to be considered.

More information

The webinar below explains in more detail on the ALSP program, its benefits and how an organization can become eligible for ALSP status.