There are various levels and types
of Courts in Nova Scotia

The Court of Appeal is the highest court in the province. It hears appeals from the lower Courts as well as from tribunals such as the Utilities Review Board.

The Supreme Court hears the more serious criminal matters as well as civil matters. It conducts jury trials and hears appeals from the lower Courts.
The Supreme Court also has a Family Division which hears family matters in Metro Halifax and the Cape Breton Regional Municipalities.

The Provincial Court is where most criminal matters are heard. It includes a Youth Court as well as a Mental Health Court.

The Family Court deals with family matters, (except divorce) in the areas outside of the two regional municipalities.

The Small Claims Court provides a quick, informal and cost-effective method for deciding claims under $25,000.

The Bankruptcy Court and the Probate Court deal with financial and inheritance matters respectively.

For more detailed information about Nova Scotia's Courts, click on the drop-down menus at the top of this page.

For information on the organization of the courts across Canada, click here: Canada's Courts.

For information on the Canadian justice system, legislation, law enforcement, national crime statistics, and other public justice institutions click here: Justice and the Law in Canada.

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Family Court Forms used by individual litigants (not by agencies) are now available in an "interactive" format; meaning they can be filled out on a computer. begin here >>

Ms. A. E. Anselm has been appointed Prothonotary of the Supreme Court and Deputy Registrar of the Court of Appeal. more details >>

Citizenship Ceremony webcast live on Tuesday, April 17th as part of the Canadian Bar Association - Nova Scotia Branch Law Week events.
<< watch archived video >>

The deadline for submitting applications for the Supreme Court's Clerkship Program has now expired (April 20). The deadline for the Court of Appeal Program had expired on March 31st. For information about the two programs, click here:
<< NSCA Clerkship Program >>
<< NSSC Clerkship Program >>

The Honourable John D.  Embree, Judge of the Nova Scotia Provincial Court, passed away at his home on March 26th.
more >>

The Courts of Nova Scotia are the first Courts in Canada to "Tweet" news, notices, and decisions. << details >>

Nova Scotia's Civil Procedure Rules are now also available in French.
Pour la version non officielle des règles de procédure de la Nouvelle-Écosse en français, << cliquez ici >>

Civil Procedure Rules and Forms are now available in an "interactive" format - meaning that the Forms can be filled out and printed on your computer directly from this website.
<< More About Interactive Forms >>
<< The Interactive Rules And Forms >>
<< The Official Civil Procedure Rules >>

The FATALITY INQUIRY INTO THE DEATH OF HOWARD HYDE pursuant to the Fatality Investigations Act.
The report by The Honourable Judge Anne S. Derrick ~ Hyde Inquiry Report
Video recordings of the Inquiry hearings are no longer available.

Video of recent events of the Courts is now available for viewing on this website
<< view video >>

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Browse the History of the Supreme Court

Courtroom and Classrooms Project Click on arrow for an interactive learning experience .....

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