Representing Yourself in Court

Everyone is entitled to represent themselves in court. The only exception in Nova Scotia is Bankruptcy Court, where individuals act through a Trustee in Bankruptcy.

Legal proceedings can be very complex - not only what goes on in the courtroom, but also the process leading up to your court appearance. As well, each type and level of court has different rules, procedures and court forms. 

Most individuals who represent themselves do not have extensive legal training or a background in law. With that in mind, the following information explains the law and court procedures in a general way. As each person's case is different, the information provided is not intended as legal advice. If you are unfamiliar with legal and court procedures and the law as it applies to your case, you may want to reconsider self-representation.

DISCLAIMER STATEMENT

In certain limited circumstances, individuals may qualify for a government-funded lawyer. For more information, please visit the websites for Dalhousie Legal Aid and Nova Scotia Legal Aid. For those who do not quality for legal aid, the Courts also offer Free Legal Clinics at courthouses in some areas of the province. 

Wi-Fi Access at Courthouses

Guest Wi-Fi is now available at courthouses across Nova Scotia. This free service is for lawyers, self-represented individuals and others accessing services at the courthouse. Ask at the front counter and a temporary user name and password will be provided. 

How to...
 

ORDER AN AUDIO RECORDING OF YOUR COURT PROCEEDING

NOTIFY MEDIA OF YOUR APPLICATION FOR A PUBLICATION BAN

REVIEW NOVA SCOTIA COURT DECISIONS SIMILAR TO YOUR CASE 


Canadian Judicial Council Resources for Self-Represented Litigants
 

CRIMINAL LAW HANDBOOK

CIVIL LAW HANDBOOK

FAMILY LAW HANDBOOK

The Nova Scotia Court of Appeal hears appeals in civil, criminal and family matters from the Supreme Court of Nova Scotia, and in 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 trial or hearing to ensure the lower court or tribunal made no errors of law. The Court has the authority to dismiss the appeal, 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.

Whether you are the party considering an appeal (the Appellant) or the party being served with one (the Respondent), you probably have questions about what is expected of you. The following resources will introduce you to the appeal process and help guide you through the steps of the different types of appeals.


COURT OF APPEAL PRACTICE DIRECTIVES

A GUIDE TO THE COURT OF APPEAL (ENGLISH)

GUIDE - LA COUR D'APPEL

HOW TO APPEAL A CRIMINAL LAW DECISION

HOW TO APPEAL A CIVIL LAW DECISION

HOW TO PREPARE AN APPEAL BOOK

CHECKLIST FOR PREPARING AN APPEAL BOOK


Electronic Filing of Court Documents

Documents that are required to be filed electronically and any other document permitted to be filed electronically with the Nova Scotia Court of Appeal must meet certain requirements outlined in the Practice Directive before they will be accepted by the Court. The Registrar may refuse to accept an electronic filing that does not comply with the instructions in this practice directive or is otherwise unsuitable. In those instances, the Registrar may require a party to withdraw the filing, resubmit or refile the documents.

PRACTICE DIRECTIVE: ELECTRONIC FILING OF DOCUMENTS IN APPEAL PROCEEDINGS


Other Helpful Resources


SUPREME COURT OF CANADA CASES YOU NEED NOT INCLUDE IN THE BOOK OF AUTHORITIES

WCAT CASES YOU NEED NOT INCLUDE IN THE BOOK OF AUTHORITIES - ALPHABETICAL BINDERS

WCAT CASES YOU NEED NOT INCLUDE IN THE BOOK OF AUTHORITIES - CHRONOLOGICAL BINDERS

PROTOCOL RE: PROCEEDINGS INVOLVING ALLEGATIONS OF INEFFECTIVE COUNSEL


Virtual Court Proceedings

The Court of Appeal has developed a checklist of things for counsel and other court participants to consider before taking part in a fully virtual court proceeding or a court proceeding with remote appearances. If any aspect of your matter is proceeding by video conference on Microsoft Teams, you should review this checklist. 

BEST PRACTICES CHECKLIST FOR VIRTUAL HEARINGS


Virtual Hearing Attendance

In keeping with the Open Court Principle of Canada’s justice system, individuals can participate and observe court proceedings by audio and/or video conference. To protect the integrity of the court proceedings, the individual is required to undertake and agree not to record or re-broadcast in any manner the court proceedings in which they participate or observe. Below is the form that individuals must sign and return to the court before the audio or video conference details are shared. 

Non-Lawyer Undertaking


Identification of Pronouns and Titles by Court of Appeal Participants

The Nova Scotia Court of Appeal welcomes parties, lawyers and other participants to advise the Court of their pronouns and titles. In doing so, the Court seeks to foster an inclusive environment for appeal proceedings in which all gender identities are recognized and respected.

MORE

All family law matters in Nova Scotia are now dealt with in the Supreme Court (Family Division). If you are planning to represent yourself in court on a family law matter, there are things you can do beforehand to help prepare and present your case.

A good place to start is with the Going to Court Workbook. It includes helpful worksheets and checklists for preparing your case, as well as information about:

  • Getting legal advice;    
  • Proving your case;
  • What to expect during the court hearing; and
  • What happens at the end of the court hearing.

This workbook is a collaborative effort of the Nova Scotia Judiciary, the Court Services Division of the Nova Scotia Department of Justice, and Nova Scotia Legal Aid. It can also be found on on the Nova Scotia Family Law website

The Nova Scotia Court of Appeal has also produced a helpful guide for making a motion for state-appointed counsel in child protection matters. This step is available only to those litigants who have been denied Legal Aid representation.

APPLYING FOR STATE-APPOINTED COUNSEL IN CHILD PROTECTION MATTERS


Family Law Tips and Resources

Retired Justice Doug Campbell presided in the Supreme Court (Family Division) for more than 15 years. Before that, he worked as a senior family law practitioner in the Halifax region. During his time on the Bench, Justice Campbell developed many useful resources to assist counsel, individuals and families going through the family law court system, including the following spreadsheets:

DIVISION OF PARENTING TIME

CALCULATING RETROACTIVE CHILD SUPPORT

DIVISION OF MATRIMONIAL ASSETS AND DEBTS

Please note that these spreadsheets may require some adjustment to conform to the preferences or practices of individual Judges. Use at your own discretion and subject to your own judgment.

The Small Claims Court of Nova Scotia provides a timely, less formal and reasonably cost-effective forum for the resolution of certain types of claims, to a maximum of $25,000. This Court also functions as the initial forum for appeals from decisions of Residential Tenancy Officers, affecting both tenants and landlords, and disputes between lawyers and their clients regarding fees and other financial issues.

The Legal Information Society of Nova Scotia has developed several innovative resources to help prospective litigants considering an action or who are representing themselves in Small Claims Court, including its public navigators project.

Small Claims Court Navigators can attend court with self-represented litigants as a form of support. They can also assist with:

  • Court preparation
  • Gathering evidence
  • Filing forms
  • Accessing legal information

Small Claims Court Navigators do not:

  • Draft documents
  • Provide legal advice
  • Speak on your behalf in court

Individuals representing themselves in Small Claims Court are encouraged to review the resources below and those available on the Legal Information Society website before you fill out your claim forms online. 

SMALL CLAIMS COURT INFORMATION BOOKLET

Guide des Informations Générales

USING A SUBPOENA IN SMALL CLAIMS COURT

Utiliser une assignation à la Cour des petites créances (Formulaire 3)

ENFORCING A COURT ORDER

Exécution d'une ordonnance rendue par la Cour des petites créances

Once you have reviewed these resources, proceed with filling out the Interactive Small Claims Court Form and follow the steps for filing it with the Court.

When a person dies, someone must deal with that person’s estate, including the money, property, and possessions left behind.

The Probate Court provides for the protection of heirs, legatees, and estate creditors. It provides a forum for adjudication without monetary limits and holds the authority for the appointment of executors, administrators, appraisers, and guardians in relation to all estate matters within its jurisdiction. It also has the supervisory authority for the proper management and distribution of estate assets, the approval of legal fees, and the setting of executors'/administrators' commissions and expenses.

The following are some helpful resources (available in English and French) if you are planning to represent yourself in Probate Court:

HOW TO AVOID HAVING YOUR COURT DOCUMENTS BEING REJECTED

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

DEALING WITH AN ESTATE 

GRANT OF PROBATE CHECKLIST

GRANT OF ADMINISTRATION (WITH WILL ANNEXED) CHECKLIST

GRANT OF ADMINISTRATION CHECKLIST

PASSING THE ACCOUNTS OF AN ESTATE CHECKLIST 

TRANSITION OF WILL TO ENGLISH CHECKLIST

AFFIDAVIT EXHIBITING ORIGINAL WILL - INFORMATION SHEET

USING A SUBPOENA IN PROBATE COURT

HOW TO PREPARE THE FINAL ACCOUNT OF THE PERSONAL REPRESENTATIVE


Loi sur les successions - Questions et réponses

Guide à l'intention des requérants sans avocat

Lettre d’homologation - Liste de vérification 

Lettre d’administration testamentaire - Liste de vérification

Lettre d'administration - Liste de vérification

Affidavit présentant l’original du testament - Fiche de renseignements

Approbation des comptes d'une succession par la Cour des successions - Liste de vérification

Traduction du testament en anglais - Liste de vérification

Utiliser une assignation dans la Cour des successions

Représentant successoral : comment préparer la dernière reddition de comptes


Probate Court Costs and Fees

There are applicable fees and taxes set by the Province of Nova Scotia that you are required to pay for wills, estates and other Probate Court matters. 


Amendments to Probate Court Regulations

Effective April 1, 2024, counsel and individuals representing themselves in the Court of Probate for Nova Scotia, including probate matters that proceed to the Supreme Court of Nova Scotia, will be required to include the original Will as an exhibit to an Affidavit when filing their documents with the Probate Court.

This new step is part of a series of amendments that update the Probate Court Practice, Procedure and Forms Regulations pursuant to section 106 of the Probate Act.

A consolidation of these regulatory amendments with unofficial templates of the revised Probate Court forms is available here.