2021-22 Annual Report
The Nova Scotia Legal Aid Commission’s 2021-22 Annual Report is now available and can be found on the About Us, Legal Aid Publications page, or at this link: 2021-22 Annual Report
National Duty Counsel Day Nova Scotia Landmarks
In Nova Scotia, the following landmarks will be lit up to help celebrate National Duty Counsel Day on October 27, 2022:
- The Big Fiddle in Sydney
- Halifax City Hall
- The Nova Scotia Legislature
National Duty Counsel Day – October 27, 2022
October 27, 2022 is National Duty Counsel Day. On this day, we not only celebrate lawyers who provide duty counsel to the community, but we use this day as an opportunity to provide awareness about this imperative service.
For more information visit: https://www.knowdutycounsel.ca/
You can spread the word. Show your support. Tell your colleagues, peers, friends and family about Duty Counsel Day, and their right to access legal support and services.
The National Duty Counsel Committee and Legal Aid Alberta have provided all legal aid plans with information and material that you can use to spread awareness.
You can spread the word: https://www.knowdutycounsel.ca/resources/
English video: https://youtu.be/kjovsiFFWCE
French video: https://youtu.be/TyQdxd29jNM
Hurricane Fiona & Closures
Due to Hurricane Fiona, many places are closed due to damages and/or no power/internet. In a lot of situations, staff are working from home where possible.
If you are represented by NSLA, please be sure to contact your lawyer if you have a scheduled court matter. Here is a list of Nova Scotia Legal Aid Offices: https://www.nslegalaid.ca/legal-aid-offices/
Here is information shared by the courts regarding court matters: https://www.courts.ns.ca/documents/NS_Courts_Prepare_for_Fiona_09_23_22.pdf
Here is information shared by the NS government regarding office closures: https://novascotia.ca/news/release/?id=20220925004
For updates on power outages: http://outagemap.nspower.ca/external/default.html
For a listing of comfort centers: https://novascotia.ca/alerts/comfort-centres-and-shelters/. Please note that a lot of communities share information locally regarding Lion’s Clubs, community centers and fire departments that are open to assist, so please be sure to check what is available in your community.
National Day of Mourning for Queen Elizabeth II – September 19, 2022
All courts across the Province will not be sitting on Monday September 19, 2022 to recognize the National Day of Mourning for the Queen’s passing. Federal and Provincial Government Offices will be closed along with public schools and daycares. In recognition of these announcements, Nova Scotia Legal Aid Offices will be closed on September 19, 2022 to mark the Day of Mourning.
Executive Office Move
Our Executive Office is moving on September 9, 2022. Our new address is:
Executive Office
Nova Scotia Legal Aid Commission
710-1701 Hollis Street
Halifax, NS, B3J 3M8
The only change is suite number. Please update your records.
Tammy Wohler – CBC Article: “Small claims court rules in favour of ‘renovicted’ Lunenburg tenant”
Below is a link to the above-noted article wherein Tammy Wohler, NSLA’s HRM Social Justice Office, was successful in a renoviction case on behalf of her client.
Are you being evicted? Get in touch with our Social Justice Office at 902-420-3464 or toll-free at 1-844-956-0955 for help. You can also find information on our website at: Residential Tenancy
Nova Scotia Legal Aid Commission Awards
The Nova Scotia Legal Aid Commission is seeking nominations for the 2022 Innovation in Service Delivery, Community Leadership, and R. Gordon Murray, QC Awards. Criteria and information regarding the Awards can be found below. Please be sure to nominate that individual or organization that you feel is deserving of recognition.
Please note the deadline for nominations is July 30, 2022 @ 12:00 pm and nominations should be sent to: NSLAawards@nslegalaid.ca
PDF Version of Criteria: 2022 NSLA Awards Criteria
Renovictions by Landlords
Tammy Wohler, Managing Lawyer, Social Justice Office, speaks regarding renovictions and advises, « The act is very clear, she said, that landlords and tenants must have a written agreement about a renoviction. If this doesn’t happen, the landlord needs to be the one making an application to the tenancy board. » See CBC article: https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/nova-scotia/lunenburg-renter-fox-street-landlord-renovictions-new-rules-1.6418587
Director of Legal Services Appointment
We are pleased to share that Samira Zayid is the new Director of Legal Services for Nova Scotia Legal Aid effective April 25, 2022.
Samira is entering her 29th year as a lawyer and has spent 26 of those years at Nova Scotia Legal Aid. She first came to NSLA as an Articled Clerk and after a brief 2-year period in private practice, she returned NSLA and has never left.
She has spent her time at Legal Aid practicing exclusively in the field of family law. This has meant helping our clients deal with many problems in the areas of child protection, custody, parenting, support, and divorce.
In 2018, Samira became the Managing Lawyer of the Dartmouth Family Office, which then expanded to include management of the Child Protection Practice Group when that office opened in 2020.
She has also found time over the years to sit on many different committees including:
• Nova Scotia Barristers’ Society Family Law Standards Committee
• Nova Scotia Barristers’ Society Bench & Bar Supreme Court Liaison Committee (Family Division)
• Halifax Domestic Violence Court (Subcommittee assisting in the implementation)
• Supreme Court of Nova Scotia (Family Division) Child Protection (Bench & Bar)
• Nova Scotia Maintenance Enforcement Program Review Committee
• NSLA’s Children & Family Services Act Committee
Samira has also volunteered as a facilitator at the Supreme Court Family Division for the Parent Information Program continuously since 1996.
Congratulations Samira and welcome to your new role!