An Overview of Unbundled Legal Services: From Justice Crisis to Justice Opportunity
For many Albertans navigating legal issues, full-service legal representation is simply out of reach. Unbundled legal services—also known as limited scope retainers—offer a flexible and affordable alternative, allowing clients to get legal support where they need it most while maintaining control over their case.
For lawyers, this approach presents both opportunities and challenges. There is a growing demand for unbundled services, creating a vast, underserved market. However, lawyers must be cautious when providing unbundled options as specific pitfalls exist which will be unfamiliar to those accustomed to a full representation model.
As presented at the LESA's 2024 Alberta Family Law Institute, this paper explores the history and evolution of unbundled legal services, their role in addressing the access to justice crisis, the regulatory landscape, and real-world examples of how they are being implemented. It also provides an introductory guide to unbundled practice, drawing on the firsthand experience of Crossroads Law Founder and CEO Marcus Sixta, who launched Coach My Case to help self-represented litigants in Alberta and British Columbia access quality legal support.
Download the full presentation here to learn more.
