After 38 years on the Bench, the Honourable R. James (Jim) Williams, Justice of the Supreme Court of Nova Scotia (Family Division), is retiring.

“I want to acknowledge and congratulate Justice Williams for his distinguished legal and judicial career. He has made countless contributions to family law education and is rightfully seen as a preeminent leader in judicial education in Canada and internationally,” said the Honourable Deborah K. Smith, Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of Nova Scotia. “On behalf of his colleagues on the Nova Scotia Supreme Court, I wish Justice Williams a happy and well-deserved retirement. His impact on our Court will continue to be felt long after he has hung up his robe.”

Born in Alberta, Justice Williams graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Alberta in 1972, a Master of Social Work from the Maritime School of Social Work in 1974 and a Bachelor of Law degree from Dalhousie University in 1977. He was admitted to the Nova Scotia Bar in 1977 and the Alberta Bar in 1986.

Justice Williams’ career has been devoted to Family Law and Legal Education. He worked in private practice in Halifax for ten years until his appointment to the Family Court of Nova Scotia in March 1987. Twelve years later, he was appointed to the Supreme Court of Nova Scotia (Family Division).

A lifelong learner, Justice Williams earned a Certificate in Mediation from the University of Toronto in 1982 and a Master in Judicial Studies from the University of Nevada National Judicial College in 1996.

Justice Williams served as Associate Director with the National Judicial Institute, the independent institution providing education to Canada’s Judiciary from 2000 to 2016, co-chaired the Federation of Law Societies National Family Law Conference from 1994 to 2022 and was President of Family Mediation Canada from 1990 to 1992. Through these organizations he chaired or co-chaired more than 40 national Family Law conferences.

Justice Williams was President of the Canadian Research Institute for Law and the Family at the University of Calgary from 2005 to 2009. He is a past chair of the Canadian Bar Association Family Law Subsection. He served as a member of the Canadian Judicial Council Education Committee (2013 to 2016), a board member of the Canadian Superior Court Judges Association (2015 to 2021) and on a number of other court related committees. 

Justice Williams taught at the Schulich School of Law at Dalhousie University for over 30 years. He also taught or lectured at the University of Alberta Law School, the University of Calgary Law School, the University of Saskatchewan Law School, the University of Sydney Law School (Australia), the University of Hong Kong Law School, the University of Surrey Law School (U.K.), Westminster Law School (U.K.), the University of London Institute of Advanced Legal Studies and the Maritime School of Social Work.

Justice Williams served as Host Chair for the World Congress on Family Law and Children’s Rights in Halifax in 2009. He has delivered innumerable presentations to the Association of Family and Conciliation Courts, various Bar Associations, the National Judicial Institute and has spoken or consulted internationally on many occasions. He was a member of the Family Law Review's editorial board from 2000 to 2021 and has published several journal articles and book chapters.

Justice Williams was awarded an Honorary Doctor of Laws from Dalhousie University in 2015. He was the first Canadian puisne judge awarded the University of London’s Institute of Advanced Legal Studies Inns of Court Judicial Fellowship in 2015.

Justice Williams has contributed to the broader community including having chaired the boards of Dalhousie Legal Aid, the Dartmouth Whalers Minor Hockey Association, Banook Canoe Club and the Metropolitan Mental Health Planning Board. He has also served on the boards of the United Way, the Canadian Red Cross and more recently those of Feed Nova Scotia and Milford House.

Justice Williams is grateful to have had the privilege of serving the public as a judge and for the opportunity to learn with and from colleagues in the Bar and on the Bench. He is thankful for the support his family has given him throughout his career. He hopes to remain active in the community, as well as legal education and family law dispute resolution in his retirement.

Justice Williams, who elected supernumerary status in 2015, is also a Deputy Justice of the Nunavut Court of Justice and the Yukon Supreme Court.

Justice Williams’ retirement is effective April 18, 2025. As a supernumerary judge, his departure does not create a vacancy on the Supreme Court (Family Division).

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Media Contact:
Andrew Preeper
Communications Director
Nova Scotia Judiciary
902-222-0266
Andrew.Preeper@courts.ns.ca