Serving Hants & Kings Counties
Resident Judges: The Honourable Judge Claudine MacDonald The Honourable Judge Alan T. Tufts		Supreme Court
		Family Court
		Small Claims Court
		Probate Court
		Kentville Justice Centre
	87 Cornwallis Street Kentville, Nova Scotia B4N 2E5 Phone: (902) 679-6070 Fax: (902) 679-6190	For information on a another Court or the Kentville Justice Centre click on one of the above

The Provincial Court has jurisdiction to try almost all indictable offence charges under the Criminal Code (a charge of murder by an adult accused being the main exception) and has exclusive jurisdiction over all summary offence charges under provincial and federal statutes and regulations. If an accused person elects or is subject to trial in the Supreme Court, the Provincial Court holds a preliminary inquiry.

Proceedings relating to all charges under the Criminal Code and the Youth Criminal Justice Act, as well as charges under other federal statutes and the many provincial statutes, commence in Provincial Court. More than than 95% of the proceedings which commence in Provincial Court remain there to completion.

Justices of the Peace assist the Provincial Court by swearing informations and affidavits, issuing summonses and subpoenas, receiving pleas and, in relation to summary offences, imposing minimum penalties.

The Nova Scotia Department of Justice provides administrative and operational support to the Provincial Court.

For more about the Court, click on the "Provincial Court" link at the top of this page.