A fair and safe society supported by a trusted justice system.

To protect the rights of all individuals in Alberta and advance the interests of society by fostering: safe communities; access to justice; respect for the law; understanding of and confidence in the justice system, and the legal foundation for social cohesion and economic prosperity.

Core Business 1: Prosecutions
Goal 1 - Promote safe communities in Alberta

Core Business 2: Courts
Goal 2 - Promote a fair and accessible civil and criminal justice system

Core Business 3: Justice Services to Albertans
Goal 3 - Provide access to justice services for Albertans in need
Goal 4 - Improve knowledge of, and confidence in, the justice system

Core Business 4: Legal and Strategic Services to Government
Goal 5 - Assist government ministries to achieve their objectives through provision of effective legal and related strategic services

Prosecutions: The Criminal Justice Division prosecutes persons charged with Criminal Code, Youth Criminal Justice Act, and provincial statute offences. The division promotes safe communities by vigorously prosecuting cases involving serious and violent crime and working with individuals and organizations in the community to identify and implement improved and alternative approaches to the administration of criminal justice. In addition, the division develops criminal law policy for the province and supports criminal law consultation with other levels of government.

Courts: Alberta Courts are presided over by an independent judiciary. There are three levels of court in the province – the Court of Appeal, the Court of Queen's Bench and the Provincial Court. The Court Services Division provides administrative support to the courts. Court Services also provides policy advice and assistance to the Minister and the Ministry in relation to court issues. Stakeholders of Court Services include the public, the legal profession, law enforcement services, correctional authorities and various service providers.

Justice Services to Albertans: This core business includes Goals 3 and 4. The Ministry promotes fair and equitable access to the civil and criminal justice system by providing a broad range of justice services through the courts, prosecution and appropriate dispute resolution mechanisms. Access to justice also means addressing barriers of access to the justice system by providing legal representation for Albertans who are in need of assistance and by providing Albertans with accurate and up-to-date information to help them increase their awareness and knowledge about the justice system. In addition, services such as maintenance enforcement, estate and trust administration services and legal aid contribute to the preservation of a safe society for Albertans.

Legal and Strategic Services to Government: Civil Law provides legal services to all government ministries and represents them in matters before the courts and tribunals. Constitutional and Aboriginal Law provides specialized services to the government in constitutional and Aboriginal law matters. Legal Research and Analysis provides advice on legislative policy. The Legislative Counsel Office is responsible for drafting government public bills, regulations and Orders in Council.

Organization Chart

Office of the Minister of Justice and Attorney General

Office of the Deputy Minister of Justice and Deputy Attorney General

Alberta Justice Boards, Agencies and Committees:

Alberta Review Board
Fatality Review Board
Judicial Council
Notaries Public Review Committee
Provincial Court Nominating Committee
Rules of Court Committee

Department of Justice:

Aboriginal Justice Initiatives Unit
Communications
Corporate Services
Court Services
Criminal Justice
Human Resource Services
Legal Services
Maintenance Enforcement Program
Policy Secretariat

Alberta Justice Business Plan 2006 - 2009
March 22, 2006

Alberta Justice Annual Report 2005 - 2006
September 26, 2006

Alberta Justice Estimates 2005 - 2006
March 20, 2005