Calgary concentrates its justice system in the Calgary Courts Centre at 601 5th Street SW — twin towers housing both the Alberta Court of Justice (first appearances, bail, most criminal trials, family duties, and civil claims up to $100,000 — the highest small-claims-style ceiling in Canada) and the Court of King's Bench (serious criminal trials, divorces, family property and major civil litigation), with the Court of Appeal sitting in Calgary as well. Landlord-tenant disputes mostly run through the Residential Tenancy Dispute Resolution Service rather than the courts. Free supports include duty counsel at the Courts Centre, Legal Aid Alberta for those who qualify, Calgary Legal Guidance's free clinics, and the right of anyone detained by police to free counsel by phone at any hour.
Criminal Law in Calgary
Calgary criminal charges start at the Alberta Court of Justice inside the Calgary Courts Centre — first appearance, bail, and most trials — with the most serious matters before the Court of King's Bench upstairs. The law is national: one Criminal Code, the s 515 bail ladder, and Charter rights to silence and free counsel by phone from the moment of detention.
Duty counsel covers the daily lists, Legal Aid Alberta funds defence for those who qualify, and alternative measures resolve eligible minor charges without a record. Before any police interview and before any plea, get legal information first — the free line explains the process, the penalties and the exits, any hour. Speak to a lawyer about a criminal law matter → Family Law in Calgary
Calgary family matters — divorce, parenting, support, property — run mainly through the Court of King's Bench at the Courts Centre, with some parenting and support matters in the Court of Justice. National rules govern divorce (1 year's separation) and parenting (best interests, decision-making responsibility and parenting time); Alberta's Family Property Act divides property, and its emergency protection orders are among the fastest in the country — available the same day, before the other person is heard, in family-violence situations.
The free line explains Alberta's regime for your situation — deadlines included — and can book a family consultation (C$295, nothing added) on the call. Speak to a lawyer about a family law matter → Impaired Driving & Traffic in Calgary
Alberta runs a two-track impaired regime: the provincial Immediate Roadside Sanctions program handles most first-time over-80 events administratively — immediate licence suspension, vehicle seizure and steep fees, with very short review windows — while criminal charges (minimum $1,000 fine, 1-year prohibition) are reserved for serious and repeat cases. Calgary traffic offences add demerit points toward Alberta's suspension thresholds.
If you are holding an IRS notice, the review clock is measured in days. Call the free line today — it explains the sanction, the review option and the road back, before the window closes. Speak to a lawyer about a impaired driving & traffic matter → Employment Law in Calgary
Calgary's boom-and-bust employment market makes dismissal law matter: Alberta's Employment Standards Code sets modest minimums, and the common law's reasonable notice — months of full compensation based on age, service and role — is what severance offers routinely underpay. Energy-sector restructurings produce exactly the packages worth reviewing before signing.
Don't sign on the day. The free line explains the rules and the 2-year claim clock any hour; a C$295 severance-review consultation with a Canadian employment lawyer is bookable right on the call. Speak to a lawyer about a employment law matter → Calgary Courts
Where your matter is heard depends on the offence and its seriousness. The courts that serve Calgary are:
Calgary Courts Centre
601 5th Street SW. Both of Calgary's trial courts under one roof — the Alberta Court of Justice for first appearances, bail, most criminal trials and civil claims up to $100,000, and the Court of King's Bench for serious crime, family and major civil matters.
Court of Appeal of Alberta (Calgary)
Sitting in Calgary — Alberta's highest court, hearing appeals from the Court of King's Bench and the Court of Justice.
Residential Tenancy Dispute Resolution Service
Alberta's fast tenancy tribunal — most Calgary landlord-tenant disputes (evictions, deposits, repairs) are decided here rather than in court.
What to Do Right Now
1
Check any charge sheet, bail paper, summons or notice for the courtroom and date — the Courts Centre is large, and Court of Justice and King's Bench matters run on different floors and lists.
2
Write down what happened while it is fresh — dates, times, what was said, any documents — and keep everything in one folder.
3
Do not guess your plea, contact complainants, or discuss the matter on social media. Decisions made in the first days are the hardest to undo.
4
Call 1-855-529-1555 free, any hour, for plain-English legal information about your situation — and if you want a lawyer, book a C$295 one-hour consultation (the total, nothing added) right on the call.
Calgary Legal Questions
Which court will my Calgary matter be in?
Almost certainly the Calgary Courts Centre at 601 5th Street SW — the question is which court inside it. Criminal first appearances, bail and most trials, plus civil claims up to $100,000, sit with the Alberta Court of Justice; serious criminal trials, divorces and major civil cases with the Court of King's Bench. Tenancy disputes mostly go to the RTDRS instead. Your paperwork names the court and room.
Can I get free legal help in Calgary?
Yes — several kinds. Legal Hotline's information line is free, 24/7, on 1-855-529-1555. Duty counsel helps at first appearances and bail; Legal Aid Alberta funds representation for those who qualify; Calgary Legal Guidance runs free clinics across the city; and anyone detained by police can speak to free duty counsel by phone at any hour.
How do I get a Calgary lawyer quickly?
Call 1-855-529-1555, free, any hour. You get immediate legal information about your situation, and if you want a lawyer, a one-hour consultation with a Canadian lawyer (C$295 — the total, nothing added) can be booked right on the call — no separate forms, no waiting for business hours.
Are you a Calgary law firm?
No. Legal Hotline is not a law firm — the free line provides general legal information, not legal advice, and calling creates no lawyer-client relationship. When you want advice, we connect you with a Canadian lawyer for a fixed-price consultation. Calgary lawyers who want consultation-ready clients can register through our For Lawyers page.