The roots of the Canadian Association of Law Libraries (C.A.L.L.) date back to the late 1950s. Several Canadian law librarians began to meet informally at the American Association of Law Libraries (A.A.L.L.) annual conference to discuss matters of interest. On July 5, 1963, C.A.L.L. became a formal association with its own Constitution and By-Laws. That same year, C.A.L.L. joined A.A.L.L. as an official chapter, with whom it remained affiliated until 1971. The first President of C.A.L.L. was Marianne Scott, with Eunice Beeson acting as Vice-President and Rosemary McCormick serving as Secretary. Future developments in law libraries across the nation, coupled with an increased level of interest amongst law librarians, led to the independent association that functions today. Currently, C.A.L.L. boasts approximately 500 members who represent a wide variety of law library interests throughout Canada. The Association serves as a forum for the dissemination of information and ideas, fosters cooperation among law libraries across the nation and plays an active role in promoting access to legal information for all Canadians.

C.A.L.L. is incorporated as a federal corporation without share capital under Part II of the Corporations Act. The objectives of the Canadian Association of Law Libraries are: to promote law librarianship, to develop and increase the usefulness of Canadian law libraries and to foster a spirit of co-operation among them; to provide a forum for meetings of persons engaged or interested in law library work and to encourage professional self-development; and to co-operate with other organizations which tend to promote the objects of the Association or the interest of its members.