Are you a Black student in Canada applying to law school?  Check out the JD Bridges Foundation sponsorship package below for a bursary to cover the cost of the LSAT prep courses/study materials, application fees and transcript fees.  Deadline for applications is April 15, 2022.

JD Bridges Foundation Sponsorship Package 2022

Adoption records in Nova Scotia will become open in spring 2022. We are reaching out, at the request of the Nova Scotia Department of Community Services, to help spread the word about this important change.

Adopted people who are now 19 or older, birth parents and potential birth parents are encouraged to consider their privacy options before adoption records open in the spring of 2022. For more information visit: https://novascotia.ca/adoption-records-changes/.  The Disclosure Program can be reached toll-free (within Canada) at: 1-833-424-2755 or by email: disclosureprogram@novascotia.ca

I am pleased to share with you that Charlene Moore, QC is the new CEO for Nova Scotia Legal Aid effective January 1, 2022.

Charlene has served on the Executive as Service Delivery Director since 2017. In her former leadership role as Service Delivery Director, her focus included Big Case Management, state-funded counsel matters, criminal appeals, duty counsel, Wellness Courts along with family and civil matters. As a Staff Lawyer she practiced in the areas of family law, child protection, social justice, and administrative law.  Charlene embodies our legal aid values (integrity, respect, client focus, fearlessness, excellence, collaboration).

Charlene’s commitment to NSLA is best communicated in her own words: « I am honoured to be the CEO for NSLA. For me, NSLA is synonymous with access to justice. An important element of the work we do in supporting and advocating for our clients is our commitment to increasing access to justice by being part of the solution through collaboration with our community and justice partners. »

Nova Scotia Legal Aid has an important role to play in the administration of justice and is committed to working with community and justice stakeholders in increasing access to justice for Nova Scotians through innovation, client service and collaboration with a focus on diversity and inclusion.

George Ash,
Chair, Nova Scotia Legal Aid Commission

The Nova Scotia Legal Aid Commission’s 2020-21 Annual Report is now available and can be found on the About Us, Legal Aid Publications page, or at this link: 2020-21 Annual Report

In recognition of Canada’s first Duty Counsel Day being held on October 27, 2021, a proclamation has been signed by the Honourable Tim Houston, Premier of Nova Scotia, proclaiming October 27, 2021 as National Duty Counsel Day in the Province of Nova Scotia. A copy of the proclamation is below outlining the importance of Duty Counsel in the justice system.