The Court of Appeal and the Supreme Court of Nova Scotia
The Civil Procedure Rules of Nova Scotia govern proceedings in the province's Court of Appeal and Supreme Court. They are made and amended by the Judges of those Courts under the authority of the Judicature Act.
The current version of the Civil Procedure Rules was developed by the Judges of the two Courts on June 6, 2008. Part 13 - Family Proceedings, was completed in April 2010. These rules went into effect on Jan. 1, 2009, and June 30, 2010, ( Part 13 - Family Proceedings), except as provided in Part 19 - Transition, Rule 92. The earlier version of the Rules dated back to 1972.
Official Consolidated Civil Procedure Rules (June 11, 2024)
Unofficial Searchable Indexed Civil Procedure Rules on Qweri
Les règles de procédure en français
Court of Appeal Practice Directives
Court of Appeal Practice Directives (French)
Supreme Court Practice Memorandums (English)
Supreme Court Practice Memorandums (French)
Amendments to the Civil Procedure Rules
The Judges of the Court of Appeal and the Supreme Court regularly review and amend the Civil Procedure Rules. Click here To view recent amendments to the Rules, Practice Memorandums, Practice Directives and related Forms, or to review historical amendments to the Rules since they were developed in June 2008.
Provincial Court
The Provincial Court Rules govern all applications and proceedings in the Provincial Court of Nova Scotia. These Rules came into effect on Jan. 1, 2013. The Provincial Court also has Practice Directives, which took effect on Jan. 1, 2015. The Provincial Court Rules and Forms, as well as its Practice Directives, are all developed and maintained by the Judges.
PROVINCIAL COURT PRACTICE DIRECTIVES
Bankruptcy Court
The Bankruptcy Court has a set of General Rules, which are made under the Bankruptcy and Insolvency Act, and which incorporate the Civil Procedure Rules, except where inconsistent with the Act or the General Rules.
Probate Court and Small Claims Court
The Probate Court and Small Claims Court in Nova Scotia are governed by provincial legislation and regulations. Visit the respective pages for these Courts for more information.