Dealing With The Barristers' Society of Nova ScotiaNova Scotia Barristers' Society
QUESTIONS YOU SHOULD ASK FIRST BEFORE YOU RETAIN ANY NOVA SCOTIA LAWYER:
Ask these questions of both the Law Society and the lawyer.
- CHECK THAT S/HE IS IN GOOD STANDING WITH THE BARRISTERS' SOCIETY OF NOVA SCOTIA. A quick check is all it takes:
- 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.
- Check with CanLaw TO SEE IF WE HAVE ANY COMPLAINTS ON FILE.
HISTORY OF COMPLAINTS IN NOVA SCOTIA |
|---|
| 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. |
| There are about 1550 practicing full and part time lawyer/members of the NS Barristers' Society. Complaints run about 165 a year. |
Source: Federation of Law Societies |
1992 |
1993 |
1994 |
1995 |
1996 |
| Complaints received |
na |
na |
na |
169 |
159 |
| Cases sanctioned |
na |
na |
na |
8 |
6 |
| Complaints disgarded |
na |
na |
na |
161 |
153 |
| Note: Complaints are not necessarily dealt with in the year received so the above numbers are indicative and represent the trends, but may not be exact on a case per case basis. |
Rate Your Lawyer
FILING COMPLAINTS AGAINST A LAWYER IN NOVA SCOTIA.
Generally, complaints to any Law Society are futile. Your complaint will be treated with a lack of respect and your word will not be accepted over that of any lawyer. Nevertheless, complaints should be filed on the slight chance that they will have an impact.FIRST...KNOW THE RULES. IT WILL HELP YOUR COMPLAINT!
The Code of Professional Conduct for the Nova Scotia Barristers' Society can be obtained by emailing Terri Harlow, Publications Administrative Assistant
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.
President
G. Wayne Beaton, Q.C.
PO Box 39, Station A
Commerce Tower, 15 Dorchester Street
Sydney, NS
B1P 6G9
Tel: (902) 539 9292
Fax: (902) 539 7099
gw.beaton@ns.sympatico.ca
|
First Vice-President
M. Estelle Theriault, Q.C.
Public Trustee
PO Box 685
5151 Terminal Road, Suite 201
Halifax, NS
B3J 2T3
Tel: (902) 424-7760
Fax: (902) 424-0616
theriame@gov.ns.ca
|
Second Vice-President
Craig M. Garson
Garson, Knox & MacDonald
Penthouse Suite, Box 1
1741 Brunswick Street
Halifax, NS
B3J 3X8
Tel: (902) 425-0222
Fax: (902) 423-4690
|
Executive Director
Darrel I. Pink
Nova Scotia Barristers' Society
1101 - 1645 Granville Street
Halifax, NS
B3J 1X3
Tel: (902) 422-1491
Fax: (902) 429-4869
dpink@mail.nsbs.ns.ca
|
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.
Nova Scotia Barristers' Society
Suite 1101, 1645 Granville Street
Halifax, NS B3J 1X3
Tel: (902) 422-1491 Fax: (902) 429-4869 Norman Chandler Ross, Communications Officer You could also contact:Terri Harlow
Publications Administrative Assistant
Nova Scotia Barristers' Society
Email
Tel: 902-422-1491
Fax: 902-429-4869
The full-version of the Nova Scotia Barristers' Society 2003-2004 Annual Report is available online and in Adobe Acrobat format. The full text includes the
financial reports from the Society, the Law Foundation, and the Nova Scotia Barristers'Liability Claims Fund. here. If you do not have the Adobe AcrobatReader, Adobe AcrobatReader go here.,
for your own copy.
Legal Aid Commission of Nova Scotia
Suite 401 5475 Spring Garden Road
Halifax, N.S. B3J 3T2
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.
Executive Director: (902) 420-6573
Fax: (902) 420-3471
|
