A common issue when moving out of a rental unit is what charges, including cleaning charges, a landlord can deduct from the tenant’s security deposit. A tenant's lease ends in one week, and the landlord has already notified them to move out. Everything in the rental looks clean, but should the … [Read more...]
When Can the Government Infringe Upon my Rights: The Oakes test
Courts in Canada use the Oakes test to decide whether a government’s law, policy or action is justified even though it infringes on someone’s Charter rights. When an individual believes a government’s law, policy or action has infringed on their Charter rights, courts use the Oakes test to … [Read more...]
Magna Carta Informs Our Criminal Law
The Magna Carta, signed in 1215, includes important legal concepts found today in our justice system, including the Rule of Law, jury trials, appointing qualified judges, evidence and access to justice. EDITOR'S NOTE This article was first published in LawNow on November 2, 2015. It was … [Read more...]
Don’t Leave Pay Behind: Know your rights under Alberta’s employment standards laws
Alberta’s Employment Standards Code sets out minimum standards employers must follow about minimum wage, minimum hours of work, overtime hours and pay, and more. Alberta’s Employment Standards Code (the Code) sets out the minimum standards that employers must provide to employees in Alberta. … [Read more...]
Annexation and the Use of Force
Annexation is one state forcibly acquiring another state’s territory, usually through a treaty or use of force. It is illegal under international law. Recently, there has been increased discussion in the media about annexation. Many are now asking what this term really means and how it comes … [Read more...]
Acting as Personal Representative for an Estate: What you need to know
Acting as the personal representative for an estate is a big responsibility that comes with legal obligations to the estate and its beneficiaries. Being prepared to act is an important first step. A personal representative is a person who has authority to manage the estate of a deceased person. … [Read more...]
Who Reveals their Poker Hand?
Sharing Evidence with Opposing Parties in Criminal Matters Evidence in a criminal matter is called disclosure. Criminal law has strict rules about who must provide whom with disclosure. Unlike in civil law, the rules are generally one-sided. The defence has no obligation to provide the Crown … [Read more...]
A Brief Overview of Child Intervention Services in Alberta
Alberta's Child, Youth, and Family Enhancement Act (CYFEA) sets out how the government intervenes to protect children, including through agreements with the child's guardian and various court orders. EDITOR'S NOTE This article was first published on January 5, 2016. It was reviewed and updated … [Read more...]
Translating Justice: Overcoming Language Barriers in Law
While Alberta's only official language is English, there are legal information and support services that can help you access justice in another language. Do you, or someone you know, need legal help but have difficulties communicating in English? As a multicultural country, Canada is home to … [Read more...]
Children Witnesses in the Criminal Courts: Recognizing Competence and Assessing Credibility
The law and research in Canada have evolved to allow children to take the stand as witnesses in criminal court, though there is still work to do. EDITOR'S NOTE This article was first published on January 5th, 2018. It was verified for accuracy on December 13, 2024. Until the late 1980s, the … [Read more...]
