The Nova Scotia Court of Appeal will sit on September 25 and 26, 2024, at the Membertou Trade and Convention Centre in Membertou, Nova Scotia. This marks the first time the Court has presided outside the Law Courts in Halifax.
“The Nova Scotia Court of Appeal is honoured to be visiting the Sydney area and sitting in Membertou, and we thank the community for welcoming us and supporting our efforts to introduce more people to the work of the Court,” said The Hon. Michael J. Wood, Chief Justice of Nova Scotia and Chief Justice of the Nova Scotia Court of Appeal. “This is a unique opportunity for Nova Scotians, and we encourage any local residents who are interested to attend the hearings.”
A courtroom and related facilities will be set up within the Membertou Trade and Convention Centre, and like most court proceedings, these hearings will be open to the public.
Membertou will hold a Welcome Ceremony for the Court on Tuesday, September 24 at 11:00 a.m. at the Trade and Convention Centre, 50 Maillard Street, Membertou, Nova Scotia. This ceremony, which is open to the public and media, will include formal remarks from Chief Justice Wood and Membertou Executive Director Trevor Bernard.
Eight judges sitting on panels of three are scheduled to hear three appeals:
September 25, 2024
Courtroom (Kluscap Room, Membertou Trade and Convention Centre)
10:00 a.m.
CA-525783 - Nova Scotia Board of Registration of Embalmers and Funeral Directors Vs. Joseph Curry.
2:00 p.m.
CA-526202 - The Department of Community Services Vs. Marie McIntyre, The Worker's 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.
September 26, 2024
Courtroom (Kluscap Room, Membertou Trade and Convention Centre)
10:00 a.m.
CA-530767 - Paul Ward Vs. Coralie Murphy.
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.
Note to Media:
There will be an opportunity to record b-roll/take photographs of the Courtroom following the welcome ceremony on Tuesday, September 24. Official photos from the Court, including of the Welcome Ceremony and Courtroom, will also be available. As outlined in the Guidelines for Media and Public Access to the Courts of Nova Scotia, recording and broadcasting of the proceedings is not permitted.
Chief Justice Michael J. Wood is available for interviews in advance of the visit and will have some availability on-site in Membertou.
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.