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The Northwest Territories is a federal territory of Canada. It is the second-largest and most populous of the three territories in Northern Canada. As of 2021, the estimated population was 45,415. Yellowknife is the capital, most populous community, and only city in the Northwest Territories. Yellowknife had a population of 19,569 as of the 2016 census.
Currently, the Northwest Territories Official Languages Act recognizes the following eleven languages:
Northwest Territories residents have the right to use any of the above languages in a territorial court and in the debates and proceedings of the legislature. However, the laws are legally binding only in their French and English versions. The Northwest Territories government only publishes laws and other documents in the territory’s other official languages when the legislature requests it to.
Access to services in any language is limited to institutions and circumstances where there is a significant demand for that language or where it is reasonable to expect it given the nature of the services requested. English language services are universally available in the Northwest Territories. Still, there is no guarantee that other languages, including French, will be used by any particular government services except for the courts.
If you are trying to find a lawyer in the Northwest Territories, one of the most important things to know before meeting with a lawyer is that any communication between you and your lawyer related to legal advice is confidential. Any legal advice between you and your lawyer cannot be shared with anyone else without your consent.
Your Northwest Territories lawyer must hold all information concerning you and your affairs that they receive during your professional relationship in strict confidence. A Northwest Territories lawyer has the duty not to allow any other interests to impact their judgment, advice, or action on your behalf.
Some lawyers work by themselves, while other lawyers work with other lawyers. Some of the people you might meet in a Northwest Territories law office may include:
To get the most out of your appointment with a Northwest Territories lawyer, it will help to prepare before the meeting. Come to the meeting ready to provide all the information your lawyer will need. Bring a list of questions you have for your lawyer to the meeting.
Before your meeting:
When trying to find a lawyer in the Northwest Territories, let your lawyer know if you don’t speak English. You may want to bring someone who speaks and understands English with you to your meeting with your Northwest Territories lawyer.
When meeting with a Northwest Territories lawyer, be sure to tell your whole story. Remember, everything you tell your lawyer to obtain legal advice is confidential through attorney-client privilege.
Talk to your lawyer about their legal opinion, and get their advice on what you should do next. Some Northwest Territories lawyers may want to take time after your meeting before giving you their legal opinion.
Working with your lawyer is a relationship that requires good communication and understanding of the expectations of one another. Talk to your lawyer about timelines for your case. You should ask when they return phone calls, letters, and emails. Find out what obstacles could make your matter take longer.
Find out about your options and alternatives. Express to your lawyer what you would like the outcome of your case to be. Make sure you and your Northwest Territories lawyer agree to your plans and priorities and the outcome you seek. Your lawyer will likely tell you if your expectations are realistic and achievable.
Talk to your lawyer about fees. Find out how much your lawyer expects your matter to cost. Sometimes, your lawyer may not assess the total cost, but your lawyer should give you a sense of how much it will cost to do certain tasks. Ask your lawyers what disbursements or fees will be charged in addition to their fees. Also ask your lawyer when they want you to pay for the accounts sent to you.
Make notes of any information that your lawyer requires you to provide. Discuss any dates available with your lawyer for meetings or court dates.
After you meet with a Northwest Territories lawyer, collect all the information that your lawyer requested. Provide those documents to your lawyer. Be sure to meet your lawyer on the dates they provide to you.
If you believe you have suffered a financial loss from working with a Northwest Territories lawyer or as a consequence of the services provided by your lawyer due to negligence or theft, you may be entitled to make a malpractice claim.
To make a claim, you may write a letter to the Law Society with the following information:
If the Law Society receives a letter from you, they will investigate your claim. This may take several weeks. Although you are not required to hire a lawyer to represent you in presenting your claim, it is recommended and encouraged.
Use LegalMatch if you are trying to find a Northwest Territories lawyer near you. LegalMatch helps connect clients with lawyers in the Northwest Territories based on the right fit. You can search for lawyers by name or by legal issue. Our services are entirely confidential, and there is no fee to schedule a consultation. Use LegalMatch today to resolve your legal issue and get the peace of mind you deserve.