Alberta Law Reform Institute
; "The Law Building")
On November 15, 1967, representatives of the University of Alberta, the Law Society of Alberta, and the Province of Alberta signed an agreement formally creating the Institute of Law Research and Reform. In January of the following year, the Institute officially began its operations. The name was changed to the Alberta Law Reform Institute in 1989.
The part-time Law Reform Committee of the Law Society realized in 1967 that it was unable to carry on its law reform work. It was decided to incorporate its previous work and connections in the design of the new Institute. This new Institute received a formal mandate to be the primary law reform agency of Alberta. By locating the Institute at the Faculty of Law at the University of Alberta, the staff at the Institute were guaranteed access to qualified consultants, critics, and the extensive John A. Weir Memorial Law Library.
The organization of the Alberta Law Reform Institute as an independent, objective, and credible organization ensures excellence in law reform recommendations. The Institute is governed by a Board of Directors, which includes a representative of each founding party.
The first Director of the Institute was Wilbur Bowker, QC, OC, the former Dean of the Faculty of Law and a pillar of the Alberta legal community for many years. Mr W.H. Hurlburt, QC, the second Director of the Institute, was a former President of the Law Society of Alberta. The reputation and profile of the Institute has been enhanced by the numerous other high-calibre people who have been involved with the organization.
The Institute has made recommendations that have led to the introduction of such important Alberta Acts as the Matrimonial Property Act, Civil Enforcement Act, and Businesses Corporations Act.
The Alberta Law Reform Institute also publishes numerous items, including final reports, reports for discussion, issues papers, research papers, and consultative documents.
To read more about the Alberta Law Reform Institute, please visit its website.