NSLA Legal Information and Resources
Nova Scotia Legal Aid provides legal information and resources to all Nova Scotians, including documents that you can read or download, and websites you can visit to get information on many types of legal and related topics.
For documents and publications to download, please see the menu on the right.
Below are some links to Community Resources which may help you:
211 has information on more than 5,000 services including:
- Mental Health and Addiction Services
- Housing Needs- all types
- Food, Clothing and Furniture Banks
- New Immigrant Programs
- Support Groups
- Shelters – women’s, men’s youth
- Services for people with disabilities
Helping you find the right community and social services.
Call 211 or visit ns.211.ca
General Law Resources:
The Courts of Nova Scotia
Information on the various courts, resource links, court forms and frequently asked questions.
Nova Scotia Barristers’ Society
The NSBS regulates the legal profession and provides an information brochure for the public.
The Legal Information Society of Nova Scotia
Information (online and phone-in scripts) about criminal law, youth law, family law, child protection, income assistance and more. Also provides Lawyer Referral. LISNS also has an online Personal Directive App to help people make a Personal Directive from home and offer virtual clinics each month. For more information visit https://www.legalinfo.org/forms/personal-directive.
Nova Scotia Public Prosecution Service
Information about the criminal case: step-by-step (from investigation to appeal) from the perspective of the prosecution service.
novascotia.ca/pps/criminal_case.asp
A Survivor’s Guide to Sexual Assault Prosecution:
This online Guide provides sexual assault survivors with a plain language description of a sexual assault prosecution. The Guide includes information on the steps taken in a sexual assault prosecution; length of the process; how to get free legal advice and where to find support.
http://novascotia.ca/pps/Survivor-Guide.asp
Nova Scotia Department of Justice
The Department of Justice provides a self-represented litigants guide.
Employment Support and Income Assistance (ESIA) Policy Manual
How to apply for income assistance, pharmacare, etc.
www.gov.ns.ca/coms/employment/income_assistance/
Employment Support and Income Assistance (ESIA) Employment Income Estimator
This estimator gives clients a way to figure out how much their take home amount would be as it relates to their monthly earnings and their monthly Income Assistance (IA) cheque.
Addictions and Drug Rehabilitation Resources:
Directory of Nova Scotia Alcohol and Drug Rehabilitation Programs
Addictions Services Nova Scotia
Helps people and their families with problems created by harmful use of drugs, alcohol and gambling.
Drug Rehab Services
Refers people who need addiction help to the proper facilities or services. Services are free of charge and cover all of Canada.
Mental Health Legal Resources:
Mental Health Services/Support in Communities Across the Province
https://novascotia.ca/dhw/mental-health/
Youth Law Resources:
Youth Criminal Law Information
Information for youth if the police think you’ve committed a crime and what can happen if you’re charged. Please note that this is an Ontario site, therefore, contact and other information may not be applicable in Nova Scotia.
Immigration Law Resources:
Newcomers to Canada
Information for newcomers and immigrants to Canada on laws relating to: criminal, family, domestic violence, general, human rights and immigration status. Information in nine languages: English, French, Farsi, Nepalese, Tagalog, Spanish, Chinese, Arabic and Russian.
www.legalinfo.org/i-have-a-legal-question/newcomers-to-canada/
Immigrant Services Association of Nova Scotia (ISANS)
Information and support services for landed immigrants.
Community Resources:
Community Services – Government of Nova Scotia
Links to government support for children, youth and families, persons with disabilities, employment support and income assistance, housing and repairs.
Eastern Chebucto Hub Organization (ECHO)
ECHO is a partnership of social, health, legal, child, youth, adult senior and family-serving organizations. ECHO makes it easier to find the services, programs, information and people you need.
Coverdale Courtwork Society
Halifax, NS, 902-422-6417. Helps women with legal problems, including court support, family violence, addiction counselling, mental health services and child care assistance.
Public Trustee Office
Frequently Asked Questions About the Adult Capacity and Decision-Making Act
https://novascotia.ca/just/pto/FAQ-adult-capacity-decision.asp
Sexual Assault Survivors Program
Support for adult survivors of sexual assault. The program respects survivors’ privacy and their right to make their own decisions. Registering is done through an independent agency, 211 Nova Scotia, and participants do not have to report to police or take legal action if they use this service. The Legal Advice for Sexual Assault Survivors program supports survivors by providing up to 4 hours of free advice from a lawyer.
https://novascotia.ca/sexualassaultlegaladvice/
Canadian Association of Elizabeth Fry Societies – Human Rights in Action: A Handbook for Women in Provincial Jails in Nova Scotia
NSLA, in providing prison legal services, works collaboratively with organizations such as the Canadian Association of Elizabeth Fry Societies who have produced a provincial and federal handbook to assist and support advocates in addressing discriminatory treatment and identifying and addressing areas that require systemic advocacy. It provides practical information on how to work toward and prepare for early release and parole and is available here:
http://www.efrycb.com/resources.html
Mi’kmaq Legal Support Network
Criminal justice services for Nova Scotia Mi’kmaq and Aboriginal Peoples.
http://www.eskasoni.ca/departments/12/
Toll free: 1-877-379-2042
Red Bear Connects Voice Mail
A free voice mail service for people who are homeless, at risk of homelessness, and/or experiencing poverty to keep in touch with potential landlords, potential employers, service providers, health professionals, friends and family. Details regarding the service can be found on the Red Bear Healing Home Society.
Domestic Abuse Resources:
Victim Services, Department of Justice, Nova Scotia
Information on Intimate Partner Violence, the Domestic Violence Intervention Act and Emergency Protection Orders.
Transition House Association of Nova Scotia
Information on shelters and services to women and their children experiencing violence and abuse.
Men’s Intervention Programs
Information on education and counselling programs in Nova Scotia for men who have used abuse in their relationships.
www.gov.ns.ca/coms/families/mensintervention.html
Nova Scotia Advisory Council on the Status of Women
If you have experienced domestic abuse, below is a link to the website and a link to Making Changes, a book for women experiencing intimate partner abuse shared by the Nova Scotia Advisory Council on the Status of Women.
Family Law Resources
Family Mediation Nova Scotia
http://www.nsfamilylaw.ca/services/court/mediation
Nova Scotia Council for the Family
The Canadian Association of Family Resource Programs
Family Law
Nova Scotia Family Law website for information on family justice services.
Family Justice Videos
Videos created as a joint project between Nova Scotia Legal Aid and the Nova Scotia Department of Justice (Court Services), with funding from Justice Canada.
http://www.nsfamilylaw.ca/videos
Directory of Canadian Organizations Providing Services to the Families of Adult Offenders
Information on transportation to institutions, help for offenders re-entering into the community, counselling and parenting programs.
Families Change
Portals to each participating province and territory with age-appropriate information to help anyone in the family deal with parental separation.
Changeville
A website for children to learn what to expect and how to deal with their feelings when their parents are separated or getting a divorce.