Since the beginning of the pandemic in March 2020, the Nova Scotia Courts have introduced a wide range of preventative measures meant to help minimize the spread of the COVID-19 virus, while keeping the Courts open and continuing to hear matters. These measures followed the advice of Public Health officials, including directives on physical distancing, masks and good hand hygiene. 

The Nova Scotia Courts started lifting some COVID-19 restrictions in courthouses back in June 2022, with the exception of masking. At the time, the All Courts COVID-19 Recovery Committee recommended that mandatory masking remain in place, in part because court proceedings, particularly criminal matters involving individuals in custody, may include vulnerable segments of the population. 

As of April 19, 2023, masks are no longer required in public areas of courthouses. Judges still retain discretion on what happens in their courtroom and may require masking and other preventative measures based on the circumstances of the matter before them. 

MASKING NO LONGER REQUIRED IN PUBLIC AREAS OF COURTHOUSES

NOVA SCOTIA COURTS EASING COVID-19 RESTRICTIONS, EFFECTIVE JUNE 15 

Nova Scotia Court of Appeal

The Court of Appeal has implemented new practice directives that deal with the filing of court documents and the expectations for appearances in the Court of Appeal. These new practice directives replace the Practice Directive for Appeal Proceedings during the COVID-19 Pandemic, which was first implemented in June 2020.

COURT OF APPEAL COVID-19 NOTICES

Supreme Court of Nova Scotia 

At the beginning of the pandemic, and during subsequent waves of the COVID-19 virus, the Supreme Court was operating under an essential services model. That meant only urgent or essential matters, as determined by a judge, were permitted to proceed. When it was safe to do so, the Supreme Court expanded the services available to the public by transitioning to a safe services model. Today, most COVID-19 restrictions have been lifted in the Supreme Court. 

SUPREME COURT COVID-19 NOTICES (2020)

SUPREME COURT COVID-19 NOTICES (2021)

SUPREME COURT (FAMILY DIVISION) COVID-19 NOTICES

PROBATE, BANKRUPTCY & SMALL CLAIMS COVID-19 NOTICES

The Supreme Court also approved temporary accommodations that would make it easier and safer for counsel and self-represented individuals to prepare for civil and family matters that were proceeding in the Supreme Court during the pandemic. Those accommodations included allowing the commissioning of virtual affidavits and permitting personal service to be effected by email.

These temporary accommodations were necessary to enable counsel and others to fulfill necessary steps outlined in the Civil Procedure Rules, while the Province of Nova Scotia was in a State of Emergency. 

All temporary accommodations related to the COVID-19 pandemic ended on April 4, 2022. 

TEMPORARY ACCOMMODATIONS ENDING

Provincial Court of Nova Scotia 

At various stages throughout the pandemic, the Provincial Court and Youth Justice Court restricted in-person appearances in those Courts and implemented a number of policies to help reduce the number of people who needed to visit courthouses to pay fines, file documents or complete other tasks. Those measures are outlined in the consolidated notices below. 

PROVINCIAL COURT COVID-19 NOTICES (2020)

PROVINCIAL COURT COVID-19 NOTICES (2021)

Media Access during the COVID-19 Pandemic

In the spring of 2020, the Nova Scotia Courts introduced temporary processes to ensure members of the media continue to have access to court documents and court proceedings during the COVID-19 pandemic, while protecting the health and safety of everyone involved. In most proceedings, those processes are no longer required; however, members of the media still have the option to participate remotely by telephone. Call-in details for the various courts are available by contacting the Judiciary's Communications Director, Jennifer Stairs, at stairsjl@courts.ns.ca.