The Honourable Deborah K. Smith has been appointed the new Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of Nova Scotia, only the second woman in the province’s history to achieve that position.

The Prime Minister announced the appointment in a news release earlier today. Chief Justice Smith had been the Associate Chief Justice of the Supreme Court since December 2004. She takes over from The Honourable Joseph P. Kennedy, who served as Chief Justice from 1998 until his retirement on April 30, 2019.

“Throughout her time on the Supreme Court, Chief Justice Smith has demonstrated her passion and commitment to improving the administration of justice,” said The Honourable Michael Wood, Chief Justice of Nova Scotia. “As well, she has been recognized nationally as a leader in judicial education and training, helping to ensure Canadian judges are in touch with the society in which they judge. I know that her appointment as Chief Justice will be welcomed by her colleagues, both here and across the country.”

Chief Justices and Associate Chief Justices in Canada are responsible for the leadership and administration of their Courts. They also serve as members of the Canadian Judicial Council (CJC). Their committee work through the CJC promotes efficiency, uniformity and accountability, and helps improve the quality of judicial service in the Superior Courts of Canada.

The Honourable Constance R. Glube was the first female Chief Justice in Nova Scotia. She was appointed Chief Justice of the Trial Division in 1982, Chief Justice of the Supreme Court in 1993, and Chief Justice of Nova Scotia in 1998.

Chief Justice Smith is a graduate of Dalhousie Law School and was admitted to the Nova Scotia Bar in 1984. She practiced civil and family law for 17 years until her appointment as a Justice of the Supreme Court in 2001. She sat in the Family Division of the Supreme Court until 2004, when she was appointed Associate Chief Justice and transferred to the General Division of that Court.

Chief Justice Smith is an active and involved member of the Canadian Judicial Council, having served in a number of roles, including Chair of the Council's Education Committee for two terms and as a member of the CJC Executive Committee and Priorities and Planning Committee. In addition, Chief Justice Smith served for many years as a member of the Board of Governors for the National Judicial Institute, the leading provider of judicial education in Canada.

Presently, Chief Justice Smith co-chairs the CJC Judicial Independence and Appointment Process Committee and is assisting with the redrafting and modernization of Ethical Principles for Judges, a publication designed to provide guidance for Superior Court judges in Canada.

She taught Civil Trial Practice at Dalhousie Law School and has lectured at numerous continuing legal education programs, the Nova Scotia Bar Admission course, and New Judges School.
Chief Justice Smith’s appointment is effective immediately. A ceremony to celebrate her swearing-in will be scheduled in the coming weeks.