Nova Scotia Legal Aid values the involvement of the private bar in providing legal services to those most vulnerable and historically disadvantaged Nova Scotians.  Thank you for your interest in legal aid.

This section of the website allows Private Bar Lawyers to access general information about the services they may be able to offer Legal Aid clients. These include:

• Certificate Lawyers – provide full or limited retainer legal representation to qualified legal aid clients.
• After Hours Telephone Duty Counsel (AHTDC) – provide advice to people under arrest or being detained by a peace officer via telephone after normal business hours and on holidays.
• Per Diem Counsel – please contact your local Legal Aid Office for information.

If you have already signed up with Nova Scotia Legal Aid to be on the Certificate Lawyer Roster or AHTDC list, please visit our Certificate & AHTDC Lawyers login area and sign in with your username and password.

Legal Aid & Certificate/After Hours Telephone Duty Counsel Lawyers

The Private Bar handles approximately 20% of legal aid full-service cases, primarily where Staff Lawyers are conflicted out of representation. Tariff rates are set by the Province. Rates vary depending on the type of matter and the lawyer’s years of experience.

We also offer support to Private Bar lawyers taking legal aid cases or who are on the AHTDC Roster by providing:

• Access to our Researcher.
• Lawyers practicing criminal law can seek assistance from our Criminal Appeals & Special Cases Counsel.
• Lawyers handling child welfare cases can contact members of our NSLA CFSA Committee.
• There are also ongoing opportunities to access our in-house PD.

If you are interested in signing up to be a Certificate or AHTDC Lawyer, please see the appropriate section on the right-hand side of this page.