Courts

Court of Appeal

Court of Appeal

The Court of Appeal is the province's highest court. It hears appeals of decisions from the Supreme Court, Provincial Court and Youth Justice Court, as well as appeals of decisions by tribunals, such as the Nova Scotia Utility and Review Board. 

Supreme Court

Supreme Court

The Supreme Court is the highest trial Court in Nova Scotia. It deals with a wide range of civil and criminal matters, as well as family law matters in the Supreme Court (Family Division). 

Judges in their judicial robes sitting in a row in a courtroom.

Provincial Court

The Provincial Court deals mainly with criminal charges, except for the most serious indictable offences, like murder. It has exclusive jurisdiction over all summary offence charges. The Youth Justice Court and the province’s Wellness Court Programs also fall under the jurisdiction of the Provincial Court.

Judges

Judges of the Nova Scotia Courts

Collectively, the province's judges are known as the Nova Scotia Judiciary. Depending on the level of Court, they are appointed by either the federal or provincial government. 

The Court of Appeal has a Chief Justice, who is also the Chief Justice of Nova Scotia. The Supreme Court and the Provincial Court both have a Chief Justice or a Chief Judge, as well as Associate Chief Justices or Associate Chief Judges. The Bankruptcy Court is headed by a Registrar, as is the Probate Court. 

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Bankruptcy Court

The role of the Bankruptcy Court is to make judicial determinations as required by the Bankruptcy and Insolvency Act in the administration of bankrupt estates. Most matters that go to court are heard by the Registrar in Bankruptcy, although some matters are referred to a Justice of the Supreme Court.

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Small Claims Court

Small Claims Court provides a timely, less formal and reasonably cost-effective forum for the resolution of certain types of claim, to a maximum of $25,000. The Small Claims Court also functions as the initial forum for appeals from decisions of Residential Tenancy Officers, and as the initial forum in which disputes between lawyers and their clients regarding fees and other financial issues are heard and resolved. 

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Probate Court

When a person dies, someone must deal with that person’s estate, including the money, property, and possessions left behind. The Probate Court provides for the protection of heirs, legatees, and estate creditors in these matters, as well as a forum for adjudication of probate matters without monetary limits.

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Law clerk doing legal research.

Executive Office of the Nova Scotia Judiciary

The Executive Office provides planning, policy and communications support to the Nova Scotia Judiciary, with a particular focus on the priorities of the Council of Nova Scotia Chiefs. The office is independent from government and unique in that it is the only one of its kind in the country that supports all judges in all levels of Court in the province.

The Executive Office includes the Director of Operations, the Communications Director, the Publication Manager, the Manager of Judicial IT Security, the Office Coordinator, the Judges' Librarian, and three Judicial Researchers. The office also oversees the law clerks program for the Court of Appeal and the Supreme Court. 

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