To understand the evolution of law and society in Alberta is to understand our past. The Legal Archives Society of Alberta is your link to this understanding.

To preserve, promote and understand the evolution of law and society in Alberta.

1. Archives are the only original, authoritative, primary evidence of past actions; if the archival record of the private sector legal community is not preserved, our understanding of the history of law and society in Alberta will remain speculative and inadequate.

2. The Legal Archives Society of Alberta maintains the only repository actively collecting and preserving the archives of the private sector legal community.

3. The archives of the private sector legal community have unique characteristics and management requirements; directly supported by the legal profession, the Legal Archives Society of Alberta is the only institution with the mandate and resources to manage and maintain these records.

The purpose of the Legal Archives Society of Alberta is to preserve complete and accurate documentation and provide resources for research on the evolution of law and society in Alberta.

1. Secure the support and participation of the private sector legal community in the programs for preserving a representative documentary record of its history and role in Alberta society.

Objectives:

• Provide records analysis, preservation, and retrieval services of direct and continuing benefit for members of the private sector legal community and the people of Alberta;
• Develop, publish and implement documentation plans and appraisal guidelines which:
  • demonstrate the value of archival records produced by lawyers, judges and legal organizations;
  • facilitates a strategic and effective program of archival acquisitions;
• Offer appropriate recognition for donations of material;
• Work with representative groups of the private sector legal community to accommodate the requirements of archival deposits and use with current professional ethical standards;
• Maintain a high profile within the private sector legal community through an ongoing awareness and interpretive program.

2. Establish the Legal Archives Society of Alberta as the premiere public and professional research centre for the study of the history of Alberta law and society.

Objectives:

• Publish and distribute guides and finding aids of the Archives’ holdings to target research groups;
• Develop and promote potential areas of archival research among students, academics, and legal practitioners;
• Develop, maintain and distribute an automated reference system which allows the most effective retrieval of the Archives’ holdings;
• Achieve an optimum balance between public access to holdings and the legal and ethical conditions of donors;
• Maintain a high profile among the general public through an ongoing awareness and interpretive program;
• Publish research which makes a significant contribution to the understanding and enhancement of Alberta’s legal history.

3. Build and maintain a sound financial and administrative structure and facility for the security and development of the Legal Archives program and its holdings.

Objectives:

• Maintain facilities and conservation programs to preserve the long-term physical integrity of the Archives’ holdings;
• Develop, implement, and review, on an ongoing basis, a strategic plan setting out goals and priorities for the future;
• Establish a diversified, flexible, secure financial base to support the various programs of the Society as set out in the program plan;
• Ensure that Legal Archives staff are enthusiastic, committed, productive, and meet the highest professional standards.