The Nova Scotia Legal Aid (NSLA) Commission’s mandate is to provide quality legal representation to qualified applicants, with priority for matters of the liberty and civil rights of individuals and for matters involving the integrity and protection of children and families.

Access to Legal Aid ensures that all Nova Scotians have their rights and freedoms protected and get a fair hearing in a court of law. Without Legal Aid lawyers, many people and their children would be faced with important legal issues without representation or legal help. This includes important matters like child custody, as well as criminal law, youth law and more.

NSLA employs Staff Lawyers in offices throughout the Province. They help thousands of clients every year and they spend a majority of their time in court. Our staff is highly experienced, very caring, dedicated and committed to their clients.  We are committed to helping overcome historical barriers to access to justice.  We have litigated many important cases to protect the rights of individuals.