This session discusses a variety of topics related to the intersection of private family and child protection. Participants will learn how to obtain child protection records and witnesses, the impact of child protection proceedings on other family law applications and Orders, jurisdictional limitations, and more. This on-demand program was originally presented as an in-person program titled Family Law Essentials on May 22, 2026 running time is 40 minutes.

This program is designed to ground you in the core principles of modern family practice while equipping you with practical tools you can apply immediately in your current matters. Whether you’re new to the field or looking to refresh and deepen your expertise, this program delivers a focused, accessible, and practice-ready overview of the issues that matter most. This on-demand program was originally presented as an in-person program titled Effective Chambers Advocacy 2026 on May 14, 2026. Running time for presentations ranges between 34 minutes and 1 hour.

Most family law applications are dealt with in Regular or Special Family Chambers because an interim order is required and/or because the parties cannot afford a full trial or expert evidence. How then, can a family lawyer best make their client’s case regarding the presence of family violence in Chambers? What procedural steps must a lawyer be aware of in Alberta? What legal principles apply? What is the most recent caselaw on this issue? These presentations answer those questions and engage in thoughtful discussions about how to address family violence in chambers. These on-demand programs were originally presented as an in-person program on November 25, 2022 as part of our Addressing Family Violence in Chambers program. The total running time for each presentation ranges between 37 minutes to 1 hour, 20 minutes.

This presentation consists of two panel discussions and includes answers to questions from attendees at the live session. The morning discussion focuses on the program’s first two topics: evidence in chambers and legal principles surrounding family violence. The afternoon discussion focuses on the additional topics of allegations of family violence, counter-allegations of alienation, and outcome options. This on-demand program was originally presented as an in-person program on November 25, 2022 as part of our Addressing Family Violence in Chambers program. The total running time for each individual presentation ranges between 1 hour, and 1 hour and 20 minutes.

At the beginning of the presentation, Sarah Dargatz, the program chair, sets the stage with factors that lawyers should consider when addressing family violence in chambers. The rest of the presentation addresses evidence issues that may arise in chambers applications where there are allegations of family violence. It examines facts that need to be proven and how to prove/disprove them, statutory and common law definitions and requirements, and procedural steps that lawyers should consider. This on-demand program was originally presented as an in-person program on November 25, 2022 as part of our Addressing Family Violence in Chambers program. Total running time is 1 hour, 6 minutes.

Having a basic understanding of the child welfare system will enhance the practice of any family law practitioner. This paper explores the basic explanations of the relevant statutes in Alberta followed by discussions of how applications under the Family Law Act and Divorce Act intersect with the federal and provincial child welfare statutes. These materials are part of a collection presented at LESA’s Family Law Essentials program in Edmonton on May 22, 2026.