A lawyer may represent children and youth of all ages. When a lawyer represents a minor, the minor is their client, not the family or anyone else. The rule of privilege (a kind of professional secrecy) governs that relationship. In other words, if you are a minor and have a lawyer, neither you nor the lawyer have to tell your parents what you two talk about. Privileged information is generally about something that happened in the past. Usually a lawyer cannot disclose this information to anyone without your clear permission. In some cases, the government may even appoint a lawyer for you. Specifically, children and youth receiving services under the Child, Youth and Family Enhancement Act or the Protection of Sexually Exploited Children Act can have a lawyer appointed to them by the Office of the Child and Youth Advocate Alberta. If you have been charged with a criminal offence and are under 18 years of age, you are eligible to receive representation by a lawyer through Legal Aid Alberta. Contact Legal Aid Alberta for more information. Last Reviewed: November 2019