How to Represent Yourself in the Alberta Court of Justice

In March 2024, a semi-retired cabinetmaker in Leduc, Alberta completed a $47,500 custom kitchen installation for a residential client. The homeowner paid a $15,000 deposit but refused the $32,500 balance, alleging deficient workmanship in the drawer slides and countertop seams. The cabinetmaker disputes the deficiency claims and wants to recover the unpaid amount. Without funds to retain counsel, the cabinetmaker must navigate the Alberta Court of Justice as a self-represented party — determining whether the claim falls within the court's monetary jurisdiction, understanding pre-trial requirements, managing document production and questioning procedures, and ultimately presenting the case at trial with witness testimony and legal argument.