Edmonton's Law Courts building at 1A Sir Winston Churchill Square houses all three of Alberta's courts: the Alberta Court of Justice (first appearances, bail, most criminal trials, family duties and civil claims up to $100,000), the Court of King's Bench (serious criminal trials, divorces, family property and major civil litigation) and sittings of the Court of Appeal of Alberta. Landlord-tenant disputes mostly run through the Residential Tenancy Dispute Resolution Service rather than the courts. Free supports include duty counsel on the daily lists, Legal Aid Alberta for those who qualify, the Edmonton Community Legal Centre's free clinics, student clinics through the University of Alberta, and the right of anyone detained by police to free counsel by phone at any hour.
Criminal Law in Edmonton
Edmonton criminal charges start at the Alberta Court of Justice in the Law Courts — first appearance, bail, most trials — with the most serious matters before the Court of King's Bench in the same complex. 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 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 Edmonton
Edmonton family matters run mainly through the Court of King's Bench at the Law Courts, with parenting and support also heard in the Court of Justice. National rules govern divorce (1 year's separation) and parenting (best interests); Alberta's Family Property Act divides property — now covering qualifying unmarried partners as well — and Alberta's emergency protection orders are among the fastest in Canada 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 Edmonton
Alberta handles most first-time over-80 events through the Immediate Roadside Sanctions program — immediate suspension, vehicle seizure and fees, with review windows measured in days — while criminal impaired charges (minimum $1,000 fine, 1-year prohibition) target the serious and repeat end. Edmonton traffic offences add demerit points toward Alberta's thresholds.
If you are holding an IRS notice, move now: the free line explains the sanction, the review option and the interlock road back, before the window closes. Speak to a lawyer about a impaired driving & traffic matter → Employment Law in Edmonton
Edmonton dismissals run on the same two layers as the rest of Canada: Alberta's Employment Standards Code minimums — the floor — and the common law's reasonable notice, which for long-serving employees runs to months of full compensation. Public-sector and energy-adjacent restructurings produce steady streams of packages pitched at the minimums.
Don't sign a release the day it lands. The free line explains the rules and the 2-year claim clock any hour; a C$295 severance-review consultation is bookable right on the call. Speak to a lawyer about a employment law matter → Edmonton Courts
Where your matter is heard depends on the offence and its seriousness. The courts that serve Edmonton are:
Edmonton Law Courts
1A Sir Winston Churchill Square. Alberta's three courts under one roof — the Court of Justice for first appearances, bail, most criminal trials and civil claims to $100,000; the Court of King's Bench for serious crime, family and major civil matters; and Court of Appeal sittings.
Residential Tenancy Dispute Resolution Service
Alberta's fast tenancy tribunal — most Edmonton 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 court and room — Court of Justice and King's Bench matters share the building but run on different 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.
Edmonton Legal Questions
Which court will my Edmonton matter be in?
Almost certainly the Law Courts at 1A Sir Winston Churchill Square — the question is which court inside. 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; appeals with the Court of Appeal. Tenancy disputes mostly go to the RTDRS instead. Your paperwork names the court and room.
Can I get free legal help in Edmonton?
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; the Edmonton Community Legal Centre and university student clinics advise free; and anyone detained by police can speak to free duty counsel by phone at any hour.
How do I get an Edmonton 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 an Edmonton 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. Edmonton lawyers who want consultation-ready clients can register through our For Lawyers page.