| RETAINING A LAWYER
 Check with CanLaw to see if we have any complaints on file. Read CanLaw's Advice on How to Hire a Lawyer
Here is our list of Lawyers in Nova Scotia Questions you should ask of both the Law Society and the lawyer before you retain any Nova Scotia lawyer.
- Check that s/he is in good standing with The Barristers' Society of Nova Scotia.
Tel: (902) 422-1491
Email: Check out lawyer
Fax: (902) 429-4869.
- Ask when s/he was admitted to the Bar. (This will tell you how long they have been in practice.)
- Ask if s/he specializes in the area of law you in which you require assistance.
- What specialist training or certification does s/he have?
- Ask how many similar cases s/he has handled? How many were won.
- Ask if s/he has ever been disbarred, suspended, or disciplined by any Law Society anywhere.
- Ask if she has been the subject of fee reviews.
- Ask if any complaints have been made against her (regardless of the outcome) to the Law Society.
The Society's Annual Reports are available online They can provide a great deal of useful information and leads to assist you.
Legal Aid: Mandate and Functions
The Legal Aid Act and its Regulations state that the Commission's mandate is to provide legal
services to persons whose income is derived primarily from municipal or provincial social
assistance, or to persons in an equivalent position.
Legal Aid Commission of Nova Scotia
Suite 401 5475 Spring Garden Road
Halifax, N.S. B3J 3T2
Executive Director: (902) 420-6573
Fax: (902) 420-3471
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TO FILE COMPLAINTS:
- With CanLaw click here:
- With the Nova Scotia Barristers' Society
NOTE: If you have a complaint against a Nova Scotia lawyer, please phone the Society (Tel: (902) 422-1491) and ask to speak to an intake officer.
Nova Scotia Barristers' Society
Suite 1101, 1645 Granville Street
Halifax, NS B3J 1X3
Tel: (902) 422-1491 Email Fax: (902) 429-4869
Please go to to review the complaint procedures.
KNOW THE RULES. IT WILL HELP YOUR COMPLAINT!
The Code of Professional Conduct for the Nova Scotia Barristers' Society can be obtained from the Society's web site. Use and read the Code to help organize your complaint. It is better if you can say that the lawyer violated rule # xxx by doing what she did or did not do. This organizes your material and shows you have done your homework. HINT: Keep your complaint calm and rational. Avoid name calling, abuse and threats. Try to stick to the facts and avoid all emotion. It isn't easy, but it is smart.
HISTORY OF COMPLAINTS IN NOVA SCOTIAThere are about 1550 practicing full and part time lawyer/members of the NS Barristers' Society. Complaints run about 165 a year. Most Law Societies will not tell you if they have complaints against a lawyer unless s/he has been "convicted" in an internal discipline hearing. However, of all the complaints received only about ten percent will ever get as far as a discipline hearing in Nova Scotia. The rest will be dismissed or closed at the preliminary stages
Most complaints to any Law Society are dismissed. Most complaints are simply frivolous and few have any real merit. Complaints should be filed on the slight chance that they will have an impact.FREEDOM OF INFORMATION CONTACT:
Requests for information under the Freedom of Information Statutes must be answered within 30 days. Although the law societies are not bound by these statutes, most will comply and fill your requests. |
