The Nova Scotia Court of Appeal will be visiting the Sydney area this week and the public is invited to see the work of the court first-hand.
This visit by the province’s highest court includes two days of hearings at the Membertou Trade and Convention Centre, as well as a welcome ceremony held by Membertou First Nation.
“The Court of Appeal is honoured to preside in Cape Breton this week for this unique sitting. We greatly appreciate the warm welcome and interest we have received from the local community,” said Chief Justice Michael J. Wood. “This sitting marks the first time the Court of Appeal has sat outside of Halifax and is part of our efforts to introduce more people to the work of the Court. I encourage anyone interested to attend the hearings this week.”
The court hearings, as well as a welcome ceremony, are open to the public. The following events will be held in the Kluscap Room, Membertou Trade and Convention Centre, 50 Maillard Street, Membertou:
Tuesday, September 24
11:00 a.m – Welcome Ceremony by Membertou First Nation, including songs, drumming, and a prayer, as well as formal remarks by Chief Terry Paul and Chief Justice Michael J. Wood.
Wednesday, September 25
10:00 a.m. – Appeal 1; Nova Scotia Board of Registration of Embalmers and Funeral Directors Vs. Joseph Curry
2:00 p.m. – Appeal 2; The Department of Community Services Vs. Marie McIntyre, The Workers' Compensation Board of Nova Scotia, The Workers' Compensation Appeals Tribunal, and The Attorney General of Nova Scotia, Representing His Majesty the King in Right of the Province of Nova Scotia
Thursday, September 26
10:00 a.m. – Appeal 3; Paul Ward Vs. Coralie Murphy
More information about the visit, including detailed descriptions of the appeals to be heard, is available at https://courts.ns.ca/courts/court-of-appeal/court-of-appeal-visits-cape-breton.
The Court is also planning education sessions and engagement opportunities for the judges, as well as with the Cape Breton Barristers’ Society and the Mi’kmaw community.
About the Nova Scotia Court of Appeal:
The Nova Scotia Court of Appeal is the province's highest court. Through its judgments, the Court of Appeal clarifies and develops the law in Nova Scotia. The Court sits primarily at the Law Courts building in Halifax.
The Court of Appeal hears appeals of civil, criminal (conviction and sentence) and family matters from the Nova Scotia Supreme Court, and criminal matters from the Provincial Court and the Youth Justice Court. It also hears appeals of decisions by tribunals, such as the Workers' Compensation Appeal Tribunal, the Nova Scotia Utility and Review Board, and the Nova Scotia Human Rights Commission.
The Court of Appeal does not re-try cases. It reviews the record of the lower court or tribunal for errors of law or other errors that require appellate intervention.
The Court has the authority to dismiss the appeal, thereby confirming the decision of the lower court or tribunal; to allow the appeal and order a new trial or hearing; or to allow the appeal but change the order of the lower court or tribunal. It is generally the court of last resort, except in the very few cases that proceed to an appeal before the Supreme Court of Canada.
The Nova Scotia Court of Appeal’s 2023 Annual Report is available on the Courts of Nova Scotia's website.