Halifax Family Law Office (Nova Scotia Legal Aid)

At Nova Scotia Legal Aid, we help in minor ways to some Nova Scotians. Our focus is on the most vulnerable and historically-disadvantaged Nova Scotians. This category includes but not limited to Indigenous Peoples and African Nova Scotians. Immigrants and those who are economically and socially disadvantaged. Two of our focus projects show these details, our Indigenous Justice Initiative and efforts to help those with low incomes or unstable housing. In 2015, the CBA NS gave Nova Scotia Legal Aid an Excellency in Equity and Diversity Award. The initiative seeks to help those unfairly impacted by historic barriers to justice access. Check the “Legal Aid Offices” page for where to find us. The Commission has 11 directors, two of whom are public sector or non-voting. The Province’s Governor-in–Council appoints all other Directors. Five are Minister Justice (Attorney General) and four are Council Nova Scotia Barristers’ Society nominees. One Director serves as the Chair, who can be any Director and does not have to be a lawyer. Directors serve for three years and may be reappointed.

Reviews of this legal service are overwhelmingly positive, with a common sentiment being that the team is helpful, friendly and very devoted. The team goes an extra mile ensuring clients feel informed, and the service offers key support to some who cannot afford a lawyer. One review, on the downside, indicated that the services can be slow but other reviewers noted that you get the quality of support you pay for, so the overall slow speeds are a non-issue for most people. The majority of people who give feedback have great support from the team, and the service obtains high marks across the board. Staff is a key strength and a lot of recommendations were made to people who needed legal help.