The Centre for Transformation
The centre for transformation, located in the faculties of Social Work and Law is focused on community-centred collaboration, research and action to lead systemic change in our society.
Transforming the Family Justice System
Sparked by a historic $26.8-million philanthropic gift from the Alberta Law Foundation, to the faculties of Social Work and Law, the Transforming the Family Justice System (TFJS) initiative is focused on improving outcomes for families navigating the family justice system.
How are we transforming family justice?
The goal of the initiative is to move many family justice matters from the courts to a new process that supports families. Instead of starting at the legal dispute stage, families filing for divorce will be supported through a less adversarial process that helps them work through the important decisions surrounding their divorce, instead of having the courts decide. The approach looks to prevent trauma to children removing "separation and divorce" from the list of Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) in Alberta. Besides better outcomes for families the initiative aims to reduce the burden on the courts and legal aid.
We Don't Provide Services
Looking for legal and social supports?
The Transforming the Family Justice System wasn't created to provide individuals and families with legal and / or social service supports. However here is a list of various organizations who may be able to help.
Resource Directory
Legal clinics in Alberta are non-profit organizations that provide free legal advice, advocacy, information, referral, and support when income poses a barrier to accessing justice. These organizations are solutions-focused, value-based, and grounded in justice, community, accessibility, and accountability. Below is a list of organizations.
The Alberta Family Resolution Hub is an online digital tool designed to provide relevant family law information and guide users to appropriate resources to help resolve family disputes. The Hub is for anyone wanting to learn more about options to resolve their family disputes, especially people who don’t have lawyers.
Legal Aid Alberta has a Lawyer Directory to help choose a preferred lawyer. The directory lists lawyers on Legal Aid Alberta’s roster.
Residential Tenancy Dispute Resolution Service (RTDRS) is a quasi-judicial tribunal that offers landlords and tenants a method of resolving disputes under the jurisdiction of the Residential Tenancies Act and the Mobile Home Sites Tenancies Act without going to court.
Student Legal Assistance (https://slacalgary.com) are pro-bono legal clinics that provides legal information and representation to low-income residents of Calgary and the surrounding area.
In Calgary, SLA is staffed primarily by current University of Calgary law students. Click here to find out more
In Edmonton the pro-bono legal clinic is mainly run by University of Alberta law students. Click here to find out more
You can also access many community-based supports and services by calling 211 or visiting ab.211.ca.
211 helps Albertans find the right resource or service for whatever issue they need help with, at the right time. 211 is available 24/7 by phone, text, or chat. The service is free, confidential, and available in over 170 languages over the phone.
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