Judicial Conduct

When one side or the other in a legal dispute thinks the judge has come to the wrong decision, our justice system allows that person to appeal the decision to a higher Court. Appeal Courts can reverse or vary decisions of other judges.

When someone believes a judge’s conduct or behaviour is of serious concern, or that a judge is not fit to be on the bench, our system allows that person to file a complaint.

Federal vs. Provincial Judges

In Canada, judges of the superior Courts are appointed by the federal government, while judges of the provincial courts are appointed by the provincial governments.

In Nova Scotia, judges of the Court of Appeal, the Supreme Court, and the Supreme Court - Family Division are federally appointed, while judges of the Provincial and Family Courts are provincially appointed.

CLICK HERE FOR MORE INFORMATION ON HOW JUDGES ARE APPOINTED >>
CLICK HERE TO LEARN MORE ABOUT TRAINING & EDUCATION FOR JUDGES >>


How do I file a complaint?

Complaints against Provincial Judges
Provincial judges include those on the Provincial and Family Courts of Nova Scotia, as well as the Chief Judge and Associate Chief Judges of those Courts. Complaint procedures for provincial judges are governed by the PROVINCIAL COURT ACT >>
 
If you believe the conduct of a provincial judge is improper, on or off the bench, you may file a written complaint with the Chief Judge. Complaints should be mailed to:
  
If you have a complaint about the conduct of the Chief Judge or an Associate Chief Judge of the Provincial Court or Family Court, that must be sent in writing to:
  
PLEASE NOTE:
In order to be considered an official complaint under the Provincial Court Act, complaints must be submitted in writing and include all of the following information:
•
 your name and signature
•
 your contact information
•
 the judge's name
•
 the Court
•
 as much detail as possible about the alleged misconduct (i.e. date, case, etc.)
       
Chief Judge of the Provincial
and Family Courts
Dartmouth Provincial Court
277 Pleasant St., Suite 200
Dartmouth, N.S.
B2Y 4B7		   Chief Justice of Nova Scotia
The Law Courts
1815 Upper Water St.
Halifax, N.S.
B3J 1S7		  
 
CLICK HERE FOR A PRINTABLE BROCHURE ON CONDUCT & THE NOVA SCOTIA JUDICIAL COUNCIL >>  
 

What happens to my complaint against a judge of the Provincial or Family Court?

 

 

 

The Canadian Judicial Council
and the Nova Scotia
Judicial Council CANNOT:
•
 overturn or change a decision of a judge  
•
 grant appeals  
•
 address demands for a new trial  
•
 compensate individuals  
•
 investigate general complaints about the Courts or the Judiciary as a whole  
•
 investigate complaints about unnamed judges  
•
 investigate complaints about court staff or lawyers  
   

 

For more information on the Nova Scotia Judicial Council and the complaint process, please refer to the PROVINCIAL COURT ACT >

* A recommendation for removal from office must go to the Attorney General. Executive Council makes the final decision.

** As per S. 17F of the Provincial Court Act, a review committee will consist of 3 members of Judicial Council: a lawyer, a lay person appointed by the Attorney General, and a Provincial or Family Court judge, appointed by the Nova Scotia Provincial Judges’ Association.

 

JUDICIAL COMPLAINT REPORTS

 

If a complaint against a Judge of the Provincial Court is referred to an independent review committee, that group investigates and presents a report to the Chief Justice, in his role as Chair of the Judicial Council.

 

REVIEW COMMITTEE REPORT RE:
JUDGE GREGORY LENEHAN >>

 

REVIEW COMMITTEE REPORT RE:
JUDGE ALANNA MURPHY >>

 

 
 

Complaints against Federal Judges
Federal judges include those on the Court of Appeal, the Supreme Court and the Supreme Court - Family Division, as well as the Chief Justice and Associate Chief Justices of these Courts.
If you believe the conduct of a federal judge is improper, on or off the bench, you may file a written complaint with the CANADIAN JUDICIAL COUNCIL >> The CJC is the national body, created under the JUDGES ACT >> respsonsible for the accountability and quality of judicial service on the superior Courts of Canada.
CLICK HERE FOR A PRINTABLE BROCHURE ON FEDERAL JUDGES & THE CJC >>