Programs for Self-Represented Litigants (in Court without a Lawyer)
1. Parenting After Separation for Families in High Conflict (PASHC)
Register for the Online Course: www.alberta.ca/pashc.aspx
FREE 3 hour seminar for parents who have already completed the PAS course and are
experiencing more intense, long-lasting conflict during their separation. PASHC course provides
information on:
● The effects of high conflict on children and the whole family
● How to manage emotions and disengage from conflict
● How to set personal boundaries
● Creating parallel parenting plans
2. Court Fee Waiver
See website for information: www.alberta.ca/waive-filing-fee.aspx
The Courthouse will waive filing fees if you meet the financial eligibility requirements. When you
file documents at the Courthouse, bring your proof of income and a completed Application for
Fee Waiver and Statement of Finances.
3. Duty Counsel
Brief summary legal advice and/or assistance in Court Duty Counsel helps people who are
representing themselves at a court appearance. Depending on the situation, Duty Counsel may
speak to the Court on your behalf. Duty Counsel may be available at Family Law Chambers in
Court of King’s Bench and at Family Docket in the Alberta Court of Justice. This service is FREE to all
Albertans.
4. Resolution and Court Administration Services (RCAS)
Contact Centre: 1-855-738-4747 (Monday – Friday, 8:15am – 4:30pm)
Located at: 8th Floor John E. Brownlee Building, 10365 – 97 Street, Edmonton
Resolution and Court Administration Services (aka Resolution Services) is a group of programs
and services that are FREE for people who are representing themselves and do not have a
lawyer.
a. Court Forms Information Coordinator
Telephone: 780-415-0404
Located at: 8124 John E. Brownlee Building, 10365 – 97 Street, Edmonton
Hours: Monday to Friday, 8:15am – 4:00pm
RCAS staff can provide information on court procedures, programs, and services. They can
provide court forms and answer questions regarding the forms, but will not assist you in filling
out the court forms.
b. Family Court Counsellor (FCC) Program
Telephone: 780-427-8343
Located at: 8077 John E. Brownlee Building, 10365 – 97 Street, Edmonton
Hours: Monday to Friday, 8:15am – 4:00pm
The FCC program is a mandatory program for people who do not have a lawyer and are
making a Family Law Act application in the Alberta Court of Justice or Court of King’s Bench for
parenting, guardianship, contact or enforcement of time with a child. Family Court Counsellors
are not lawyers and cannot give you legal advice, but they are highly trained social workers. A
Family Court Counsellor can meet with you and help you fill out forms when applying for
parenting, guardianship, contact or enforcing a parenting order. To book an intake appointment
with a Family Court Counsellor, you need to call the FCC number and leave a message with
your name and number. An intake worker will call you back generally within 3 days.
c. Child Support Resolution (CSR )
Telephone: 780-427-1907
Located at: 8124 John E. Brownlee Building, 10365 – 97 Street, Edmonton
Hours: Monday to Friday, 8:15am – 4:00pm
www.alberta.ca/child-support-resolution-program.aspx
The Child Support Resolution (CSR) program is a mandatory mediation program for people
who do not have a lawyer and are filing a child support application through the Court of
King’s Bench. Child Support Resolution meetings may also be available on a limited basis to
parties with Alberta Court of Justice matters. A CSR Officer will review financial disclosure and the
Child Support Guidelines, and try to help both parties come to an agreement in a CSR meeting.
If the parties are able to reach an agreement, a Consent Order can be made so the matter does
not have to go to Court.
5. Alberta Legal Coaches and Limited Services
See website for information: www.AlbertaLegal.org
You may wish to retain a lawyer through the Alberta Limited Legal Services Project to assist
you. This project allows you to hire a lawyer to handle just parts of your matter, or to perform
specific tasks at a reasonable rate. There will be a list of participating lawyers that you can
contact on the website. The lawyers will charge you their usual hourly rate or flat rate.
6. Student Legal Services of Edmonton (SLS)
Family Law Project Telephone: 780-492-8244
Located at: 11011 88 Avenue NW, Edmonton, Alberta
See website for hours: www.slsedmonton.com/family
SLS provides basic legal information on divorce, separation, parenting time, child and spousal
support, family property, and adult interdependent partnerships (common-law relationships).
SLS also offers law student services under the supervision of a family law lawyer for the
following:
● Obtaining a child support order in the Alberta Court of Justice
● Varying an existing child support order in the Alberta Court of Justice
● Responding to parenting/guardianship applications in the Alberta Court of Justice
● Do-Your-Own Divorce Clinic