Human Rights Defence Lawyer
When your fundamental rights are violated, we ensure your voice cuts through the noise.
Human rights cases require a lawyer who understands both legal principles and human impact.
Human Rights Defence in Alberta
Human rights cases in Alberta are governed by the Alberta Human Rights Act, which prohibits discrimination in employment, tenancy, goods and services, and other protected areas. The Act establishes protected grounds including race, religious beliefs, color, gender, physical disability, mental disability, age, ancestry, place of origin, marital status, source of income, family status, and sexual orientation.
These cases may involve proceedings before the Alberta Human Rights Commission or the courts, depending on the specific circumstances and stage of the complaint. The process can be complex, with significant potential consequences for all parties involved.
We understand the sensitive nature of human rights cases and their importance in upholding dignity and fairness. With our experience on both sides of the legal system, we develop comprehensive strategies to address human rights complaints effectively, whether you are responding to allegations or seeking to enforce your rights.
Types of Human Rights Cases We Handle
Employment Discrimination
We represent both employees facing workplace discrimination and employers responding to human rights complaints in the employment context.
Common Issues:
Hiring and promotion discrimination
Workplace harassment
Accommodation of disabilities
Religious accommodation
Pregnancy and family status discrimination
Age-based discrimination
Termination related to protected grounds
Housing and Tenancy Discrimination
We address discrimination in rental housing, condominium governance, and other residential contexts.
Common Issues:
Denial of housing based on protected grounds
Discriminatory rental terms
Failure to accommodate disabilities
Harassment by landlords or other tenants
Discriminatory application of condominium bylaws
Services and Public Facilities Discrimination
We handle cases involving unequal access to services, businesses, and public spaces.
Common Issues:
Refusal of service based on protected grounds
Discriminatory treatment in retail environments
Unequal access to public facilities
Discriminatory policies in educational institutions
Barriers to participation in programs and services
Systemic Discrimination
We address more complex cases involving patterns of discrimination that affect groups rather than just individuals.
Common Issues:
Organizational policies with discriminatory effects
Barriers affecting specific communities
Institutional practices that create unequal outcomes
Failure to provide appropriate accommodations
Our Human Rights Defence Process
We approach each human rights case with a proven methodology developed through years of experience. From immediate response to complaints to representation at hearings, we guide you through every step while protecting your rights and dignity.
Free Consultation
We begin with a thorough discussion of your case to understand the full context of your situation. During this meeting, we listen to your concerns, review available documentation, and explain potential approaches to your legal matter. This foundation allows us to develop a relationship based on understanding and trust.
During this meeting we discuss fees and a budget that can work with your financial situation.
Obtain and Review Disclosure
The first step when someone is charged with a crime is to find out exactly what the Crown is going to try to use against you. This sometimes takes months of diligent inquiry and follow-up.
Once we obtain the Crown’s disclosure file, we sit down with you to discuss the best way to proceed with your defence. Sometimes, this is by way of a quick resolution to a favourable Crown offer; other times, it is by proceeding to trial.
Plan the Defence
If we proceed to trial, we lay out the best defence strategy well in advance, so we have a clear picture of where we are headed.
This includes planning all pre-trial applications (for instance, to introduce expert evidence), lining up any relevant witnesses, and making critical decisions about things like whether you will testify and whether the trial will be by judge alone or judge and jury.
Prepare for Trial
We prepare you and any witnesses for the trial by thoroughly explaining how the trial will look, showing you around a courtroom so that you are comfortable, asking you practice questions so that you get used to speaking in public, and doing mock cross-examinations so that you are not flustered when answering questions.
Trial
At the trial, we stand between you and the power of the State, and mount your best defence.
About Zachary Al-Khatib
Founder of ZK Law specializing in criminal defence and complex legal matters. Former Supreme Court of Canada clerk bringing unique judicial perspective to each case. I combine rigorous advocacy with compassion, ensuring every client's story is heard. Currently teaching at the University of Alberta while maintaining my practice.
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Contact ZK Law today for a confidential consultation. We will explain your legal options, answer your questions, and start building your defence strategy immediately.
FAQs
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The process typically begins with filing a complaint with the Alberta Human Rights Commission within one year of the alleged discrimination. The Commission investigates, attempts conciliation, and may refer to a tribunal hearing if the matter remains unresolved. Some cases may proceed to court, particularly if they involve other legal issues alongside human rights claims.
Human rights cases can take significant time to resolve, with the investigation phase alone often lasting 6-12 months. If a case proceeds to a tribunal hearing, the entire process may take 1-2 years or more. We work to resolve matters efficiently while ensuring your rights are fully protected.
The Alberta Human Rights Act allows for various remedies including financial compensation for injury to dignity and lost income, reinstatement to employment, changes to discriminatory policies, accommodation of needs related to protected grounds, and other appropriate relief. We work to secure meaningful remedies that address the specific harm experienced.
Yes, employers have several potential defences, including bona fide occupational requirements, reasonable justification, and demonstrating appropriate accommodation to the point of undue hardship. We help employers develop these defences when legitimate and appropriate.
Human rights proceedings focus specifically on discrimination based on protected grounds, while civil litigation can address a broader range of legal issues. Human rights complaints are often more accessible and less formal than court proceedings, though they have their own complex procedures. In some cases, both processes may be available, and we help you determine the most effective approach.
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