The Honourable Pierre L. Muise, a Justice of the Supreme Court of Nova Scotia, is retiring after more than 16 years on the Bench.

“Throughout his career, Justice Muise has maintained a strong connection to his roots, serving the people of Southwest Nova Scotia well. He has contributed greatly to ensuring access to justice in French, which has had a tremendous impact on our legal and court system, but also on those who have appeared before him,” said the Honourable Deborah K. Smith, Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of Nova Scotia. “I wish Justice Muise all the best in his retirement.”

Justice Muise first studied forestry and wildlife at the University of New Brunswick in 1981, later earning a Bachelor of Laws degree from Dalhousie University in 1995. He was admitted to the Nova Scotia Bar in 1996. He subsequently practiced law for 13 years in both the private and public sectors.

Justice Muise was appointed to the Provincial and Family Court of Nova Scotia in June 2009. He was appointed a Justice of the Supreme Court of Nova Scotia in August 2010 and a Deputy Judge of the Nunavut Court of Justice in November 2016.

As a lawyer and judge, Justice Muise undertook initiatives to advance access to French-language services nationally and in Nova Scotia. He also mentored law students from France as part of an exchange program organized by Université Sainte-Anne and has been a Council Member with the Canadian Superior Court Judges’ Association since 2019, serving on three committees and co-chairing one.

Justice Muise’s retirement is effective April 21, 2026. Justice Muise is a full-time judge and his departure creates a vacancy on the Supreme Court. As of April 21, there will be two vacancies on the Supreme Court – one in the General Division and one in the Family Division.