Most harassment situations do not need a lawsuit. They need the harasser to understand, clearly and in writing, that the conduct is unlawful, that it has been documented, and that continuing it carries real consequences. A cease and desist letter from a law firm delivers exactly that message, and in many cases it ends the behaviour within days.
What the letter does
A properly drafted cease and desist letter sets out the specific conduct, dated and documented; the law that makes it actionable, including the tort of harassment recognized in Alberta Health Services v Johnston, 2023 ABKB 209; a clear demand that the conduct stop; and the consequences of continuing, up to and including a civil claim for damages and an injunction. It also puts the recipient on formal notice, which strengthens any later claim: after the letter, no one can say they did not know the conduct was unwelcome.
Why it works
Harassment thrives on the belief that there will be no consequences. A letter on law firm letterhead removes that belief. The recipient learns that a lawyer has reviewed the record, that the record is strong enough to act on, and that the next step is a filed claim with their name on it. For most people, that is enough.
When a letter is not the right first step
A letter is not always the answer. Where there is a genuine safety risk, the first conversation should be about protective orders and, where appropriate, police involvement. Where the harasser is a former intimate partner, the letter needs to be coordinated with any family law proceeding. We assess this at the outset and tell you plainly which path fits your situation.
See our Post-Separation Harassment and Restraining Orders and Injunctions pages.
A standalone service with an escalation path
We offer cease-and-desist letters as a defined, standalone service. You receive a consultation, a review of your records, a drafted and served letter, and clear advice on what to do if the conduct continues. If it does, the letter becomes the first exhibit in the claim.
Frequently asked questions
In our experience, rarely, and we will tell you if your situation is one where escalation is a real risk. The letter is drafted to close doors, not open them: factual, measured, and difficult to wave around as a grievance.
The letter itself is not a court order. Its force comes from what follows it. A recipient who continues after formal notice faces a stronger claim and a court that has seen the warning ignored.
Once we have your records and instructions, typically within days.
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Keystone Legal serves clients across Alberta in English and French.
