Nova Scotia Legal Aid Commission
2012/2013 Annual Report
TABLE OF CONTENTS
MESSAGE FROM THE CHAIR . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR'S REPORT. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2
COMMISSION MANDATE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7
NSLA COMMISSION STRUCTURE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8
BOARD OF DIRECTORS. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9
MANAGEMENT TEAM. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10
SERVICE OFFICE LOCATIONS. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11
ACCEPTED SERVICES . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12
ACCEPTED SERVICES & TYPE OF SERVICE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13
SERVICES RECEIVED BY AREA OF LAW . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14
FULL SERVICE REPRESENTATION . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15
CERTIFICATES ISSUED TO 217 PRIVATE LAWYERS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16
AFTER HOURS TELEPHONE DUTY COUNSEL . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17
FINANCIAL ELIGIBILITY. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18
AUDITED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19
APPENDICES:
 NUMBER OF FULL SERVICE MATTERS COMPLETED. . . . . . . . . . . . 37
(Adult Criminal)
 NUMBER OF FULL SERVICE MATTERS COMPLETED . . . . . . . . . . . . 38
(Youth Criminal)
 NUMBER OF FULL SERVICE MATTERS COMPLETED . . . . . . . . . . . . 39
(Provincial/Family/Civil)
TABLE OF CONTENTS
 RECIPROCALS RECEIVED . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 40
 STANDING COMMITTEES . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 41
 STAFF DISTRIBUTION. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 42
 PUBLIC INTEREST DISCLOSURE OF WRONDONG ACT
REPORT FOR 2012/2013 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 43
 GLOSSARY OF TERMS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
45
MESSAGE FROM THE CHAIR
On behalf of the Nova Scotia Legal Aid Commission, I am pleased
to present the 2012/2013 Annual Report.
Nova Scotia Legal Aid has completed another successful year. In
times of fiscal challenges the Commission has taken the opportunity to re-evaluate
what it does and how it does it. The purpose of this exercise is to improve the
services that Legal Aid provides to Nova Scotians in need.
The complete staff has been fully invested in a process of better accounting for the
time and resources spent by Legal Aid. This process has, in turn, provided
management with the critical information necessary to better direct the
organization toward the priorities which have been identified as the raison d’etre.
In tandem with the drive to improve the accounting has been an allencompassing, strategic planning exercise. With the remarkable volunteer
assistance of Legal Aid Ontario, the entire staff has been fully engaged in a
strategic planning process. The entire staff and Commission have helped to create
the plan and that, in itself, helps build the momentum that will carry the
organization forward for the next three years. Implementation is planned for fiscal
year 2013/2014 and should ensure that the NSLA Commission continues to be an
even larger part of access to justice issues.
In addition to the development of a Strategic Plan, the Commission Directors have
begun the process of Board renewal. This process is something that has been
board driven and has the goal of better engaging and utilizing the exceptional
skills and talents of the Directors who make up the Nova Scotia Legal Aid
Commission. The Commission Directors are, to a large extent, volunteers who are
legally charged with the responsibility “for all matters relating to legal aid in the
Province.” The Directors have undertaken the process of Board renewal with
enthusiasm and, as a result, the upcoming year promises to be both challenging
and rewarding.
For all the reasons above I continue to be proud to be part of Nova Scotia Legal
Aid and to be privileged to submit and endorse this Annual Report for public
consideration.
Donald G. Harding, QC
Chair, Nova Scotia Legal Aid Commission
1
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR'S REPORT
2012/2013
Legal Aid – Part of the Solution
Legal Aid is key to making justice possible. I am pleased to
present a report which highlights the essential role of the Nova
Scotia Legal Aid Commission in realizing the goal of accessible justice for all Nova
Scotians.
Service Delivery and Fiscal Realities
Our service delivery outcomes are measured against one question: “Are we doing
the right thing?” This, of course must be answered within our fiscal realities.
Criminal, Family and Poverty Administrative Law1 involve fundamental issues:
liberty, family security, income and housing stability. These areas fit within our
Mandate. It is important that we provide full service representation in these
areas. This means a lawyer for the case.
Our Province-wide Poverty Law Initiative is in its infancy, yet must be nurtured.
Income and housing instability worsen intersections with criminal and family
justice.
Our full service numbers (essentially criminal and family) kept pace with the prior
year. Total direct service expenditures were $21.4 million and more than 80% of
these dollars were allocated to full service. In the context of Provincial Back to
Balance funding for long-term stability, maintaining status quo full service is a
good but challenging example of our commitment to realizing accessible justice for
Nova Scotians: Unrepresented litigants suffer worse outcomes and add to justice
system delays.
Before I leave full service, I want to highlight our commitment to balancing
criminal and civil legal aid expenditures. Of our full service expenditures, civil
legal aid (mostly family law services) accounted for 41% and criminal adult legal
aid accounted for 49%. 75% of family clients are women; 75% of criminal clients
are male.
The reality is that Legal Aid cannot ‘lawyer up’ all unrepresented litigants. This is
where limited retainer services provide opportunities for innovative response. This
year, energy was focused on our Enhanced Duty Counsel (EDC) program. By
yearend and without adding personnel, we had a program that gained recognition
1 Poverty Administrative Law or Social Justice Law involves issues respecting (issues re EI Claims, CPP Disability, Income
Assistance and Residential Tenancies. Dr. Ab Currie noted in ‘The Legal Problems of Everyday Life’: “…the lower the
income, the more likely people are to report problems related to social services, disability benefits, debt and housing…the
lowest income group.. are 2.9 times more likely to have a housing problem, 3.7 times more likely to have a problem with
disability benefits…”
2
across Canada and prompted a site visit by Legal Aid Ontario. Our program was
positively referenced in a report to the Attorney General of British Columiba and
was considered by a Department of Justice Canada Researcher.
EDC uses experienced lawyers along with Court Support Workers (CSWs). EDC
achieves early final resolutions where appropriate, quicker hookup with full-service
offices when necessary and helps address underlying drivers of intersection with
criminal justice systems by helping accused connect with community supports.
EDC services are not subject to financial eligibility criteria. All this adds up to
effective access to justice for more Nova Scotians and is an efficiency key for the
criminal justice system. Our program focused on the right people, doing the right
thing and tracking the right outcomes.
On the family side, we implemented, without adding personnel, court-based
Summary Advice Counsel (SAC) in the Family Court in the northeast and began
implementation planning for Family Courts in the southwest.
SAC provides
unrepresented litigants with access to experienced, court-based lawyers. This
provides effective help for people who don’t qualify for full-service legal aid and
can’t retain private counsel. It helps with family justice efficiencies.
‘Doing the right thing’ also means working with other justice stakeholders to
support timely and responsive justice. We take our involvement and contribution
seriously as this work is key to ensuring better access to justice for all Nova
Scotians. This year, we promoted a collaborative child welfare model with
Department of Justice and Department of Community Services. It is called the
Early Referral Program and is based on preventative case conferencing which
would take place prior to, and hopefully instead of, a protection application being
brought in court. All stakeholders, and at the highest level, have committed future
energy. This is about getting the right services to Nova Scotians at the right time.
One other example: Our Poverty Law advocacy played a role in the Province’s
recent decision to increase the maternal nutritional allowance for Income
Assistance recipients.
Finally, it is important to listen. We engaged in and facilitated a number of
community consultations – with transition houses, Phoenix House youth, and
participated in a number of consultations with First Nations communities around
the Province. All this will help us better understand the needs of Nova Scotians
who need legal aid.
Internal Operations and Fiscal Realities
Internal operations are measured against this question, “Are we doing things
right?” within in our financial realities. The backbone of NSLA is the commitment of
my staff and private bar colleagues. They have continued to care and show this by
stepping up to the plate. This year, getting and retaining the right people to
replace retirees was a focus. We expanded our visibility in the Schulich School of
Law and implemented a Racial Diversity Committee.
3
In the Law School, we:
 Participated in orientation week;
 Collaborated with the Indigenous Blacks and Mi’kmaq Initiative;
 Provided student placement for the Criminal Law Clinic and new Public
Placement Clinic and continued support to Dalhousie Legal Aid Clinic;
 Provided teaching support and involvement in lectures;
Our Racial Diversity Committee helped us deliver two Province-wide legal aid
goals: to increase our First Nations and African Nova Scotian cultural competency
through focussed professional development; and, to attract staff that better reflect
the cultural diversity of our clients.
‘Doing things right’ means looking at how we deliver services. This year, we
increased our Aboriginal outreach by providing services in the Paq’tnkek
community (formerly Afton) and Potlotek (formerly Chapel Island). Our Aboriginal
in-community and near-community initiative now goes into six First Nations
Communities.
Darrel Pink, Executive Director, Nova Scotia Barristers’ Society, spoke at the 2012
Annual Meeting on Future Directions for Delivery of Legal Services and what this
means for Legal Aid. Challenging us to build on our role in increasing legal
information and using multi-disciplinary staff, we refined the focus of our Court
Support Workers, developed the Family Support Assistant position, helped develop
www.nsfamilylaw.ca and set a goal to expand our in-office summary services and
limited retainer which will be implemented this fiscal year.
Asking ourselves if we are doing things right lead us to develop Commission
standards for criminal and family law. Minimum levels of professional
development, experience and/or mentorship will be necessary for the Commission
to issue a Certificate to a private bar lawyer. Consultations with members of the
Bar, the Nova Scotia Barristers’ Society and the Criminal Lawyers Association took
place. These standards will be implemented this year and will further promote
effective justice for Nova Scotians.
Finally, doing things right means, ‘You can’t manage what you don’t measure’.
Operational focus on developing the right accountability reports continued. My
commitment is that decisions will be based on both quantitative data (statistics)
and qualitative feedback (listening). Decisions were made to decrease the Halifax
North Office by one lawyer and add a Family Support Assistant, to divide the
Dartmouth Office into separate family and criminal offices, to open a conflict office
in Sydney (so as to decrease having to retain private bar lawyers from HRM) and
to have the full-time Summary Advice Counsel in Sydney also provide Poverty Law
services. Offering Poverty Law in the Sydney Supreme Court Family Division will
complement the Department of Justice focus on better meeting the needs of Nova
Scotians who are trying to deal with family law issues. Many people who
experience family breakdown also experience poverty law issues and need help
with income stability and housing security.
4
Financial & Technology
Continued focus on financial management and openness to new technology
applications is necessary for Legal Aid to be an essential part of the access to
justice solution. New financial management focuses included:



Audit/Finance implementation;
Changeover to new accounting standards;
Updated deliverable expectations for our Management Information Systems
Coordinator (MISC). Changes will see this position move from simply a help
desk to a proactive part of overall system management.
None of this takes long to say, but were indeed major items on our financial
management radar and were done on time.
Conclusion
Being ‘part of the solution’ means collaboration. Collaboration must mean action
not just talk. Nationally, I was pleased to work with:

Association of Legal Aid Plans (ALAP) of Canada as Executive member for the
Atlantic Region. ALAP has undergone a change from an information sharing
association to a focus as a national voice on access to justice. Press
Release: http://www.newswire.ca/en/story/1197669/alap-supports-trainingto-meet-legal-needs-of-clients-with-mental-health-issues

Canadian Bar Association (CBA) nationally on the importance of legal aid in
access to justice. Presentations to the Envisioning Equal Justice Summit in
BC, facilitating a closer connection between the CBA and ALAP and work on
future directions for Legal Aid Plans were a few highlights.

Steering Committee member of the National Symposium on Criminal Justice.
This year, the focus was on strategies to address the intersection of mental
health and the criminal justice system. Our NSLA Annual Meeting this year
will focus on recognizing and responding to clients with mental health
struggles and so we will be following up on a key recommendation from the
Symposium.

National Judicial Institute presentation on legal aid and legal aid and child
welfare. This, hopefully, increased judicial awareness that lawyers welcome
a more participatory role for judges in these proceedings.

Federal/Provincial/Territorial Permanent Working Group (PWG) on Legal Aid
along with my Provincial colleague, Judith McPhee, QC, Executive Director,
Policy & Information Management, Department of Justice. The Federal
5
Government provides funding to the Province for criminal legal aid. Since
2003, the Federal Government has provided Nova Scotia with $3.6 million.
Judith will be retiring this year and I would like to publicly thank her for her
efforts on issues of federal/provincial fiscal responsibility for legal aid.
The Nova Scotia Legal Aid Commission is in the top 50% of the Legal Aid Plans of
Canada for Provincial/Territorial funding. Investing in legal aid is the right thing to
do for individual Nova Scotians and for justice efficiencies. However, all Legal Aid
Plans could be so much more. I think about legal aid all the time. Here are a few
final thoughts about how all Legal Aid Plans could be an even greater part of the
solution:
R
Develop more value for money Research, showing the investment in legal
aid makes fiscal sense.
E
Expand Eligibility criteria for full service to include the working poor.
A
Embrace an Advocacy role for legal aid to speak on access to justice for
vulnerable Canadians (if not us, then who?).
C
Value Coverage beyond criminal into equal service dollars for family
poverty law legal aid. Women and children need this.
H
Apply Holistic or client-centered services which would see us working outside
of our offices, being present where clients need us and using technology to
provide help in a more accessible way.
Legal Aid must REACH to the future.
solution.
and
We can be an even bigger part of the
Karen Hudson, QC
Executive Director
6
COMMISSION MANDATE
The mandate of the Nova Scotia Legal Aid Commission, in so far as
Government funding permits, is:
(a)
To deliver quality legal services [this means information, advice,
partial representation and full-service representation – but not to
spelled out herein] to qualified applicants with priority for
matters involving the liberty and civil rights of individual clients
and for matters involving the integrity and protection of an
individual's family;
(b)
Such other legal services as Government may contract with the
Commission to provide to individuals or groups.
7
2012/2013 NSLA COMMISSION STRUCTURE
Legal Aid Act
1989, RSNS, c.252
LEGISLATIVE
AUTHORITY
Attorney General/
Minister of Justice
s.6(2), 9(5), 11(2)
Nova Scotia Legal Aid
Commission Directors
(16) & Chair (1)
Executive Director
s.14(2)
MANAGEMENT
Appeal
Committee
Executive Director
Executive Committee
Service
Delivery
Director
Internal
Operations
Director
Chief
Financial
Officer
Managing Lawyers
(ML)
SERVICE
Staff Lawyers (includes MLs)
Legal Assistants
Court Support Workers
Family Support Assistants
Private Lawyers
Accepting
Certificates
8
Funding to
Dalhousie Legal Aid
Service $69,000
BOARD OF DIRECTORS AS OF MARCH 31, 2013
Donald G.
Harding, QC
(Chair)
Ronald R.
Chisholm
Barbara
Darby
Trinda
Ernst, QC
Truro
Bedford
Kentville
Donald
Fraser
Frank Gillis,
QC
Kathy Isnor
Edward
Kirby, CA
Kentville
Glace Bay
Vincent B.
MacDonald
Darlene
MacRury
Naiomi
Metallic
Hugh
Robichaud
Halifax
Glace Bay
Halifax
Meteghan
Vacancy
Vacancy
Vacancy
George Ash
Dartmouth
Linda
TippettLeary
Halifax
Halifax
9
Halifax
MANAGEMENT TEAM AS OF MARCH 31, 2013
OFFICE OF THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR:
KAREN HUDSON, QC
Executive Director
JOSEPH A. CAMERON
Internal Operations Director
D. PETER MANCINI
Service Delivery Director
JENNIFER CAIN, CA
Chief Financial Officer
REGIONAL OFFICES:
ROBERT GREGAN
Managing Lawyer, Amherst
DARREN MACLEOD
Managing Lawyer, Annapolis Royal
CINDY MURRAY
Managing Lawyer,
Antigonish & Port Hawkesbury
JOHNETTE ROYER2
Managing Lawyer, Bridgewater
MARIAN MANCINI4
Managing Lawyer, Dartmouth
BRAD SARSON
Managing Lawyer, Halifax South
LEE MITCHELL5
Managing Lawyer, Halifax North
LONNY QUERIPEL
Managing Lawyer-Duty Counsel
HRM Youth and Duty Counsel
MEGAN LONGLEY
Managing Lawyer - Youth
HRM Youth and Duty Counsel
BRIAN VARDIGANS
Managing Lawyer, Kentville
STEPHEN ROBERTSON
Managing Lawyer, New Glasgow
PATRICIA FRICKER-BATES3
Managing Lawyer-Criminal
Sydney/Sydney Duty Counsel
JILL PERRY
Managing Lawyer–Family, Sydney
DAVID MAHONEY
Managing Lawyer, Truro
KAREN ARMOUR
Managing Lawyer, Windsor
MURRAY JUDGE
Managing Lawyer, Yarmouth
2 Cathy Benton effective May 1, 2013.
3 E. Ann Marie MacInnes effective May 1, 2013.
4 New Position added effective April 1, 2013 for Managing Lawyer for Family. Shelley Hounsell-Gray appointed for Family
with Marian Mancini retaining Managing Lawyer responsibilities for Criminal.
5 Wayne Matheson effective April 1, 2013.
10
SERVICE OFFICE LOCATIONS
55 Church Street
AMHERST, NS B4H 3A7
T 902-667-7544
TF 1-866-999-7544
F 902-667-0030
PO Box 760
151 Wentworth Rd., Suite 2
WINDSOR, NS B0N 2T0
T 902-798-8397
TF 1-866-798-8397
F 902-798-8345
102-523 Prince Street
TRURO, NS B2N 1E8
T 902-893-5920
TF 1-877-777-5920
F 902-893-6112
325 Main Street, Salon B
KENTVILLE, NS B4N 1K5
T 902-679-6110
TF 1-866-679-6110
F 902-679-6177
70 West Street, Suite 2
ANTIGONISH, NS
B2G 2X7
T 902-863-3350
TF 1-866-439-1544
F 902-863-7598
PO Box 188,
56 St. Anthony Street
ANNAPOLIS ROYAL, NS
B0S 1A0
T 902-532-2311
TF 1-866-532-2311
F 902-532-7488
204-164 Main Street
YARMOUTH, NS B5A 1C2
T 902-742-0676
TF 1-866-742-3300
F 902-742-0676
202-141 High Street
BRIDGEWATER, NS
B4V 1W2
T 902-543-4658
TF 1-866-543-4658
F 902-543-3044
LIVERPOOL 902-354-3215
116 George Street
NEW GLASGOW, NS
B2H 2K6
T 902-755-7020
TF 1-877-755-7020
F 902-752-8733
302-15 Kennedy Street
*PORT HAWKESBURY,
NS B9A 2Y1
T 902-625-4047
TF 1-888-817-0116
F 902-625-5216
*In this Report, caseload
statistics for Port
Hawkesbury are reported
under Antigonish.
300-99 Wyse Road
DARTMOUTH, NS
B3A 4S5
T 902-420-8815
TF 1-877-420-8818
F 902-420-6562
2830 Agricola Street
HALIFAX, NS
B3K 4E4 (Family)
T 902-420-3450
TF 1-866-420-3450
F 902-420-2873
400-5475 Spring Garden Rd.
HALIFAX, NS B3K 4E4
(Adult Criminal)
T 902-420-6583
TF 1-877-777-6583
F 902-420-1260
HRM YOUTH AND DUTY
COUNSEL
401-5475 Spring Garden Rd.
Halifax, NS B3J 3T2
T 902-420-7800
F 902-428-5736
SUPREME COURT FAMILY
DIVISION DUTY COUNSEL
3380 Devonshire Avenue
PO Box 8988, Stn. "A"
HALIFAX, NS B3K 5M6
T 902-424-5616
F 902-424-0562
11
401-15 Dorchester Street
SYDNEY, NS B1P 5Y9
T 902-563-2295
TF 1-877-563-2295
F 902-539-0489
SYDNEY DUTY COUNSEL
402-15 Dorchester Street
Sydney, NS B1P 5Y9
T 902-539-7026
F 902-539-3058
SUPREME COURT FAMILY
DIVISION DUTY COUNSEL
136 Charlotte St., Main Level
SYDNEY, NS B1P 1C3
T 902-563-2085
F 902-563-2224
Accepted Services
April 1st to March 31st
Disposition
2012/2013 2011/2012
Change
Accepted Services
43,451
43,624 (173)
-0.4%
Rejected Services
2,010
2,421 (411) -17.0%
Pending Decision
416
129
287 222.5%
GRAND TOTAL
45,877
46,174 (297)
-0.6%
Services
Accepted
Rejected
Pending
1%
4%
95%
12
Accepted Services
April 1st to March 31st
Disposition
Full Service:
Staff Lawyers
Private Lawyers
Full Service
2012/2013 2011/2012
15,704
3,624
19,328
Reciprocals – Outgoing
Summary Service
Duty Counsel:
Cells
Non-Custodial
SAC
Business Hours Telephone
After Hours Telephone
Duty Counsel
Change
15,991 (287)
3,722
(98)
19,713 (385)
-1.8%
-2.6%
-2.0%
73
85
(12) -14.1%
1,082
1,112
(30)
-2.7%
8,705
6,531
1,700
1,346
4,686
22,968
8,784
5,588
1,670
1,491
5,181
22,714
(79)
943
30
(145)
(495)
254
-0.9%
16.9%
1.8%
-9.7%
-9.6%
1.1%
Type of Service
April 1, 2012 to March 31, 2013
Summary
Service
3%
Outgoing
Reciprocals
0%
Full Service
44%
Duty Counsel
53%
13
Full Service:
Staff Lawyers
Private Lawyers
Full Service
% Full Service
Reciprocals
Outgoing
%
Total
Provincial
Statutes
Civil
Family
Criminal
Age n/a
Criminal
Youth
Disposition
Criminal
Adult
Services Received by Area of Law
April 1, 2012 to March 31, 2013
9,497
1,997
0
3,577
593
40
15,704
1,676
258
0
1,661
29
0
3,624
11,173
2,255
0
5,238
622
40
19,328
57.8% 11.7% 0.0% 27.1% 3.2% 0.2% 100.0%
34.2%
7.9%
42.1%
0
0
0
73
0
0
73
0.2%
364
18
0
498
193
9
1,082
2.4%
7,713
5,722
0
1,209
992
333
0
131
0
0
0
0
0
0
1,700
0
0
0
0
0
0
476
0
6
8,705
6,531
1,700
1,346
19.0%
14.2%
3.7%
2.9%
4,023
484
179
0
0
0
4,686
10.2%
18,667
1,940
179
1,700
0
482
22,968
50.0%
Accepted
30,204
Services
Rejected
783
Services
Pending Decision
192
GRAND TOTAL
31,179
% of Total
68.0%
4,213
179
7,509
815
531
43,451
94.7%
15
0
1,017
147
48
2,010
4.4%
Summary
Service
Duty Counsel:
Cells
Non-Custodial
SAC
Business Hours
Telephone
After Hours
Telephone
Duty Counsel
3
0
211
10
0
416
0.9%
4,231
179
8,737
972
579
45,877 100.0%
9.2% 0.4% 19.0% 2.1% 1.3% 100.0%
14
FULL SERVICE REPRESENTATION
Gender Breakdown
24.9%
Criminal Adult
75.1%
20.5%
Criminal Youth
79.5%
75.0%
Family
25.0%
45.4%
Civil
54.6%
0
Female
1000
Civil
269
Male
324
2000
3000
Family
2684
4000
893
5000
Criminal Youth
410
6000
1587
Staff Lawyer & Private Bar (Certificate)
Private Lawyer
19%
Staff Lawyer
81%
15
7000
Criminal Adult
2368
7129
8000
12
0
8
32
0
0
2
110
16
4
61
9
1
3
258
7.1%
52
72
133
126
207
248
0
0
140
83
342
100
69
89
1,661
45.8%
16
1
2
0
2
0
4
0
0
1
0
6
0
12
1
29
0.8%
98
105
251
264
707
252
247
111
239
142
722
179
131
176
3,624
100.0%
%
Total
Civil
33
31
110
104
500
0
245
1
82
55
313
70
49
83
1,676
46.3%
Family
Amherst
Annapolis Royal
Antigonish
Bridgewater
Dartmouth
Halifax North
Halifax South
HRM YDC
Kentville
New Glasgow
Sydney
Truro
Windsor
Yarmouth
TOTAL
Percent
Criminal
Youth
Office
Criminal
Adult
Certificates Issued to 217 Private Lawyers
April 1, 2012 to March 31, 2013
2.7%
2.9%
6.9%
7.3%
19.5%
7.0%
6.8%
3.1%
6.6%
3.9%
19.9%
4.9%
3.6%
4.9%
100.0%
After Hours Telephone Duty Counsel
April 1, 2012 to March 31, 2013
500
450
400
350
300
250
200
150
100
50
0
Criminal Adult
Criminal Youth
Unknown Age
Criminal Adult
Unknown Age
Criminal Youth
10%
4%
86%
After Hours Telephone Duty Counsel
April 1, 2012 to March 31, 2013
Month
April
May
June
July
August
September
October
November
December
January
February
March
TOTAL
Criminal
Adult
372
350
384
416
438
321
319
307
317
306
247
246
4,023
Criminal
Youth
53
42
39
50
54
39
37
36
48
42
25
19
484
17
Unknown
Age
11
40
1
21
1
17
13
15
10
13
7
30
179
Total
436
432
424
487
493
377
369
358
375
361
279
295
4,686
FINANCIAL ELIGIBILITY
Eligibility (Legal Aid Regulations)
1 (1) Subject to the Act, an applicant is eligible to receive civil legal aid and criminal
legal aid.
(a) when an applicant qualifies for benefits under the Provincial Social Assistance Act,
Part II, or benefits under the Family Benefits Act; or
(b) when the obtaining of legal services outside of the legal aid plan would reduce the
income of an applicant to a point whereby the applicant would qualify for benefits as
per clause 1(1)(a).
(2) A client who is eligible pursuant to clause (1)(b) may be required by the
Commission to make a contribution towards the payment of the costs of the legal
services rendered on the applicant’s behalf.
(3) An applicant shall not be required to dispose of his principal place of residence or
assets necessary to maintain his livelihood.
2 Notwithstanding Section 1, where the income of an applicant for legal aid exceeds
the amounts specified in Section 1, the applicant may be declared eligible for legal
aid if the applicant cannot retain counsel at his own expense without him or his
dependants, if any, suffering undue financial hardship such as incurring heavy
indebtedness or being required to dispose of modest necessary assets.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Eligibility Table
Legal Aid may be granted to a person on Social Assistance or in an equivalent
financial position where there is merit in providing legal assistance in certain areas of
family/civil and criminal law.
A person is in a position equivalent to that of someone on Social Assistance when the
gross monthly income of the person and his/her spouse, including common-law
spouse, is less than the amount set out below. (Child Tax Credit is not counted in
income) and the person's monthly expenses for shelter, food, miscellaneous,
transportation and the cost of the legal service requested is greater than the amount
set out below. (Maximum allowance for transportation is $18.00).
HOUSEHOLD
One Adult
and 1 Child
and 2 Children
and 3 Children
and 4 Children
and 5 Children
and 6 Children
and 7 Children
GROSS
MONTHLY
INCOME
$1067.00
$1416.00
$1700.00
$1924.00
$2148.00
$2372.00
$2596.00
$2820.00
HOUSEHOLD
Two Adults
and 1 Child
and 2 Children
and 3 Children
and 4 Children
and 5 Children
and 6 Children
and 7 Children
18
GROSS
MONTHLY
INCOME
$1424.00
$1708.00
$1932.00
$2156.00
$2380.00
$2604.00
$2828.00
$3052.00
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
30
31
32
33
34
35
APPENDICES
36
DR
KE
NG
SY
SY
DC
TR
WI
YA
MH
Staff
Total
Private
Lawyer
BW
0
0
1
3
0
2
49
0
0
2
13
19
2
31
14
18
0
0
2
0
11
17
0
33
3
1
8
0
0
0
0
1
5
0
0
54
0
0
0
5
15
4
30
4
15
0
0
0
13
9
11
16
28
4
0
9
0
1
2
0
5
12
1
0
78
0
0
3
8
17
21
53
9
18
0
0
3
58
22
27
5
3
1
0
19
0
0
0
0
25
12
0
6
215
0
0
5
35
56
36
239
23
32
1
0
10
322
92
52
25
46
9
0
44
1
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
3
29
15
0
104
400
1
0
1
44
73
87
551
34
69
2
0
15
25
91
53
52
86
4
0
94
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
1
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
1
9
0
5
73
1
0
1
6
34
14
78
7
18
0
0
12
83
20
20
5
25
2
1
16
0
1
0
0
1
8
0
12
72
0
0
1
2
8
14
71
20
23
0
0
0
0
14
28
4
9
0
0
26
0
0
0
1
4
13
2
25
181
0
0
2
17
26
24
170
12
58
0
0
5
201
20
41
11
61
1
0
68
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
10
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
1
0
0
2
1
0
0
0
0
0
0
2
0
0
3
1
8
3
2
14
40
0
0
1
11
18
10
89
8
15
0
0
12
110
25
5
6
33
0
1
11
0
1
0
0
3
3
0
8
91
2
0
0
10
9
11
75
3
13
0
0
1
62
21
11
10
33
0
0
14
0
0
0
0
4
1
1
8
46
1
0
2
2
12
10
18
4
8
0
0
0
0
4
7
1
13
2
0
14
0
0
0
0
8
1
0
0
67
0
0
0
8
13
9
85
4
15
0
0
1
7
0
3
7
13
1
0
19
0
0
7
6
91
91
7
188
1,416
5
0
18
163
318
246
1,502
145
310
3
0
65
924
344
285
152
400
27
3
352
1
3
14
17
63
64
7
65
403
4
0
7
62
127
35
109
24
31
1
0
6
47
150
20
6
21
2
1
83
3
2
29
101
82
64
192
0
595
1
63
115
191
1
43
48
55
92
1,672
111
0
2
1
8
244
0
0
2
24
356
0
1
1
46
354
0
0
2
9
440
0
4
0
25
1,507
0
0
0
0
-
0
3
21
89
2,541
0
0
0
0
2
0
0
0
4
499
0
1
2
34
465
0
0
0
26
1,160
0
0
0
7
24
0
0
0
13
483
0
1
1
25
455
0
0
0
34
247
191
0
0
7
551
191
12
30
351
9,328
0
2
20
94
1,601
HAS
AT
2
1
1
6
1
4
40
0
0
0
2
18
4
12
2
7
0
0
2
42
15
10
10
17
0
0
8
0
0
HAN
AR
Homicide
Attempted Murder
Robbery
Sexual Assault
Sexual Abuse
Aggravated Assault
Assault
Kidnapping
Abduction
Arson
Weapons/Explosives
Break & Enter
Fraud/False Pretences
Theft
Possession Stolen Property
Property Damage Mischief
Prostitution
Gaming/Betting
Public Order Offence
Administration of Justice
Traffic/Import Drugs
Possession of Drugs
CC Motor Vehicle Offence
Impaired Driving
Forgery/Uttering
Criminal Negligence
Uttering Threats
Conspiracy
Peace Bond
Breach of Probation/ Order
Variation
CC Review Board
Child Pornography
Appeal
Other
Criminal Adult Total
AM
CRIMINAL ADULT
HRM
YDC
Number of Full Service Matters Completed
April 1, 2012 to March 31, 2013
37
38
0
0
0
0
0
0
2
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
2
0
0
1
1
0
0
14
0
0
0
0
6
0
4
3
2
0
0
0
19
1
0
0
1
0
0
2
0
0
14
0
0
0
0
0
0
68
0
0
3
2
0
1
12
1
0
0
3
4
2
8
3
8
0
0
1
2
2
0
0
0
0
0
2
0
0
15
0
0
0
0
0
0
69
0
0
1
1
0
1
8
0
0
0
0
3
0
3
1
3
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
1
0
0
0
0
0
11
0
0
0
0
0
7
40
MH
0
0
2
1
0
4
20
0
0
1
2
4
1
19
8
14
0
0
1
49
2
12
2
1
0
0
9
0
1
57
0
0
0
0
0
1
211
YA
0
0
7
2
0
3
13
0
0
0
3
16
0
37
24
26
0
0
0
0
5
6
1
1
0
0
5
0
0
94
0
0
0
0
0
8
251
WI
0
0
2
2
0
0
32
1
0
0
1
19
0
21
3
8
0
0
2
12
2
2
2
0
0
0
6
0
0
20
0
0
0
0
0
3
138
TR
1
0
42
2
0
50
111
0
0
2
31
91
12
164
28
70
0
0
9
89
23
27
12
4
0
0
39
0
0
229
0
0
0
2
5
57
1,100
SY
DC
0
0
0
0
0
0
1
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
1
SY
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
-
NG
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
-
KE
0
0
0
7
1
0
10
0
0
0
0
3
0
15
3
9
0
0
0
16
2
7
1
0
1
0
2
0
0
17
0
0
0
1
0
2
97
HRM
YDC
0
0
0
1
0
0
4
0
0
1
0
1
0
2
2
4
0
0
0
0
0
2
0
2
0
0
1
0
0
3
0
0
0
0
0
4
27
HAS
0
0
0
2
0
0
3
0
0
0
2
6
0
3
0
5
0
0
1
0
2
1
0
1
0
0
1
0
0
7
0
1
0
0
0
2
37
HAN
BW
0
0
0
1
0
0
5
0
0
1
0
9
1
22
4
10
0
0
0
15
4
1
1
0
0
0
0
0
2
18
0
0
0
0
0
2
96
DR
AT
Homicide
Attempted Murder
Robbery
Sexual Assault
Sexual Abuse
Aggravated Assault
Assault
Kidnapping
Abduction
Arson
Weapons/Explosives
Break & Enter
Fraud/False Pretences
Theft
Possession Stolen Property
Property Damage/Mischief
Prostitution
Gaming/Betting
Public Order Offence
Administration of Justice
Traffic/Import Drugs
Possession of Drugs
CC Motor Vehicle Offence
Impaired Driving
Forgery/Uttering
Criminal Negligence
Uttering Threats
Conspiracy
Peace Bond
Breach of Prob/Order Var.
CC Review Board
Child Pornography
YCJA Transfer
YCJA Review
Appeal
Other
Criminal Youth Total
AR
CRIMINAL YOUTH
AM
Number of Full Service Matters Completed
April 1, 2012 to March 31, 2013
Staff
Total
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
3
0
0
0
0
0
3
1
0
58
22
1
59
235
2
0
5
42
162
16
298
79
159
0
0
14
202
43
58
19
11
1
67
0
3
485
3
1
0
3
5
86
2,140
Private
Lawyer
0
1
40
11
0
21
47
0
0
0
23
46
0
56
7
24
0
0
1
27
18
9
4
2
0
0
10
0
0
36
0
0
0
2
0
4
389
Provincial Statutes:
Motor Vehicle Act
Liquor Control Act
Other
Provincial Total:
Family:
Separation
Divorce
Custody
CFSA
Enforcement
Application to Vary
Family Maintenance
Matrimonial Property
Access
Paternity
Adult Protection
Appeal
Other
Family Total
Civil:
Litigation
Non-Litigation
Admin. Tribunal
Immigration
Review Board
IPTA
Secure Treatment
Adult Protection
POV – CPP
POV – EI
POV - IA
POV - Housing
POV – Other
Appeal
Other
Civil Total
GRAND TOTAL
Private
Lawyer
Staff
Total
Mental
Health
YA
WI
TR
SY
DC
SY
NG
KE
HRM
YDC
HAS
HAN
DR
BW
AT
AR
AM
Number of Full Service Matters Completed
April 1, 2012 to March 31, 2013
0
0
0
0
5
0
1
6
0
0
1
1
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
1
1
0
2
0
2
1
0
0
1
0
0
0
0
1
0
0
1
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
14
2
0
16
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
21
4
3
28
0
0
0
0
12
13
50
15
0
19
10
0
4
0
4
1
5
133
26
18
87
14
1
1
34
1
15
0
2
0
1
200
19
24
37
35
4
18
64
1
4
0
12
2
6
226
28
17
83
18
1
37
56
0
22
1
2
0
3
268
15
35
248
70
0
19
109
1
29
0
9
3
5
543
36
70
211
54
4
43
84
5
22
0
16
1
9
555
0
0
1
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
1
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
29
40
91
17
1
46
31
0
24
2
9
0
5
295
9
5
94
35
1
8
63
3
35
1
3
0
4
261
29
47
208
49
1
9
153
2
21
3
12
0
0
534
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
5
4
59
36
0
31
18
7
18
3
18
0
0
199
33
16
59
30
1
21
21
1
11
2
3
0
1
199
16
48
68
9
2
20
40
2
14
0
4
0
2
225
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
257
337
1,296
382
16
272
683
23
219
12
94
7
41
3,639
32
103
479
414
8
157
143
13
132
6
8
14
19
1,528
0
0
2
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
3
6
1
1
5
18
491
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
1
1
0
2
0
2
1
4
11
610
0
0
0
0
0
3
0
0
1
0
3
2
2
2
9
22
630
0
0
0
0
0
4
0
0
0
1
0
0
0
0
1
6
811
1
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
2
0
3
0
2
8
2,058
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
9
5
38
48
36
5
11
152
707
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
1
0
0
3
0
0
4
2,548
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
1,104
0
0
0
0
0
2
0
0
4
8
5
12
2
0
2
35
968
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
1
2
1
1
0
0
0
5
982
0
0
0
0
0
1
0
0
1
0
2
2
0
1
8
15
1,921
0
0
0
0
0
11
0
0
1
0
0
1
0
0
1
14
40
0
0
0
0
0
16
171
0
0
0
3
0
0
0
0
190
940
1
1
0
1
0
0
0
0
2
1
2
1
3
0
33
45
784
0
0
0
0
0
4
0
0
0
0
0
3
0
0
5
12
524
0
0
0
0
0
71
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
1
72
626
2
1
2
1
0
112
171
1
20
18
61
76
52
10
82
609
4
3
2
0
2
3
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
15
29
39
15,744
3,547
Reciprocals Received
April 1st to March 31st
2012/2013
2011/2012
Province
Outgoing Incoming
Alberta
British Columbia
Manitoba
New Brunswick
Newfoundland
Northwest
Territories
Nunavut
Ontario
Prince Edward Island
Quebec
Saskatchewan
Yukon
Outside Canada
TOTALS
Total
Outgoing
Incoming
Total
16
6
2
11
7
1
7
3
1
19
6
1
23
9
3
30
13
2
17
3
0
18
3
0
2
3
2
17
5
1
19
6
2
35
8
1
0
21
4
3
2
0
0
73
0
8
3
6
3
0
0
57
0
29
7
9
5
0
0
130
0
27
6
7
4
0
0
85
0
9
1
7
0
0
0
47
0
36
7
14
4
0
0
132
40
STANDING COMMITTEES AS OF MARCH 31, 2013
APPEAL
George Ash
Barbara Darby
Frank Gillis, QC
Vincent B. MacDonald
Darlene MacRury
Hugh Robichaud
Linda Tippett-Leary
AUDIT/FINANCE COMMITTEE
Donald G. Harding, QC (NSLAC Chair)
Ronald R. Chisholm (Chair)
Kathy Isnor
Edward Kirby, CA
Hugh Robichaud
Karen Hudson, QC (Executive Director)
Joseph A. Cameron (Internal Operations Director)
D. Peter Mancini (Service Delivery Director)
Jennifer Cain, CA (Chief Financial Officer)
R. Gordon Murray, QC
COMMUNICATIONS COMMITTEE
Donald G. Harding, QC (NSLAC Chair)
Trinda Ernst, QC
Karen Hudson, QC (Executive Director)
Joseph A. Cameron (Internal Operations Director)
D. Peter Mancini (Service Delivery Director)
EXECUTIVE
Donald G. Harding, QC (Chair)
Karen Hudson, QC (Executive Director)
Joseph A. Cameron (Internal Operations Director)
D. Peter Mancini (Service Delivery Director)
ELIGIBILITY REVIEW COMMITTEE
Trinda Ernst, QC
Frank G. Gillis, QC
Linda Tippett-Leary
Executive Committee Members
Marian Mancini (Managing Lawyer, Dartmouth Office)
TARIFF REVIEW COMMITTEE
Ronald R. Chisholm
Linda Tippett-Leary
Executive Committee Members
Karen Armour (Managing Lawyer, Windsor Office)
David Mahoney (Managing Lawyer, Truro Office)
41
Jennifer Cain, CA (Chief Financial Officer)
R. Gordon Murray, QC
Resource – Lisa Stokkeskog
(Executive Assistant/NSLAC Secretary)
Administration
1
2
6
1
2
Total
Articled
Clerks
MIS
Research
1
Coordinator
Court
Support
Workers
Family
Support
Assistants
Officer
Chief
Financial
Legal
Assistants
Admin.
Support
Lawyers
Staff
Directors
Executive
Director
OFFICE
STAFF DISTRIBUTION AS OF MARCH 31, 2013
13
Amherst
3
3
6
Annapolis Royal
3
2
5
2.5
2
4.5
4
3
Dartmouth
11
7
Halifax South
10
5
Halifax North
5.5
5
Kentville
4
3
7
New Glasgow
4
3
7
2.5
2
4.5
10
6
16
Truro
3
3
6
Windsor
3
2
5
Yarmouth
3
2.6
5.6
9
3
Antigonish
Bridgewater
Port Hawkesbury
Sydney
HRM Youth & Duty
Counsel
SAC Duty Counsel
1
1
2.5
14.5
2
3
1
2
.5
2
6
2.5
1.5
2
2
88
16
11.5
1.5
1
8
18
2
Sydney Youth &
Duty Counsel
Mental Health
Legal Services
Poverty Law
Services
Northeast Corridor
TOTALS
1
.6
6
53.7
42
2.6
1
4.5
1
1
2
2
162.2
PUBLIC INTEREST DISCLOSURE OF WRONGDOING
ACT REPORT FOR 2012/2013
Report of the Executive Director:
I am pleased to present the 2012/2013 report on the
implementation of the Public Interest Disclosure of
Wrongdoing Act Report by the Nova Scotia Legal Aid
Commission. This report supports the Government’s commitment
to provide a process to facilitate the disclosure and investigation of
potential wrongdoing and to provide protection for those who
disclose.
Nova Scotia Legal Aid delivers a wide range of services that directly and
significantly impact Nova Scotians.
As public servants we all share a commitment to ensure that Nova Scotians
continue to be served by a professional, ethical and accountable civil service.
In the rare cases where existing processes are inadequate to assure
effective, efficient and fair service delivery, it is important that we encourage
a work environment where employees feel safe to report any wrongdoing
they may encounter and that they do so without fear of reprisal. The Public
Interest Disclosure of Wrongdoing Act and Regulations provide a
reporting process and provide greater protection for employees who come
forward with a potential wrongdoing.
The Public Interest Disclosure of Wrongdoing Act is not intended to
deal with all matters and concerns that employees may have. This Act is the
avenue for dealing with specific wrongdoings as defined in the Act. Other
laws such as the Occupational Health and Safety Act and the Human
Rights Act incorporate human resources policies and provide additional
avenues of redress for government employees that may be more appropriate
depending on some circumstances.
Definition of “Wrongdoing”
Under the Public Interest Disclosure of Wrongdoing Act, “wrongdoing”
means:
(i)
A contravention of Provincial or Federal Statutes or Regulations if
the contravention related to official activities of the employee or
any public funds or assets,
(ii)
A misuse or gross mismanagement of public funds or assets,
43
(iii)
An act or omission that creates a substantial and specific danger
to the life, health or safety of person or the environment, or
(iv)
Directing or counseling someone to commit a wrongdoing
described in subclauses (i) to (iii).
Disclosure of Wrongdoing
Between April 1, 2012 and March 31, 2013, there were no disclosings of
wrongdoing made by employees of the NSLA Commission under the Public
Interest Disclosure of Wrongdoing Act.
Other Activities in Support of the Act
Fiscal year 2012/2013 was a foundational year in the NSLA Commission’s
implementation of the Public Interest Disclosure of Wrongdoing Act.
During that time, we appointed a “designated officer”, Joseph A. Cameron,
Internal Operations Director, who is responsible to receive and deal with
disclosures by employees. In addition, the designated officer is our liaison
with the Office of the Ombudsman and other designated officers in other
departments and is responsible for overseeing the Act.
We have communicated details of the Act and Regulations to all office
managers and staff. The designated officer has taken specialized training in
the investigation of disclosures under the Act. We have had the Ombudsman
and a member of his staff speak to our Managing Lawyers and Support Staff
in June 2013.
44
GLOSSARY OF TERMS
Advice – Legal counsel provided to people who require only legal advice but
no further legal service.
AM – Amherst Office
After Hours Telephone Duty Counsel - After hours legal advice provided
by lawyers.
AR – Annapolis Royal Office
AT – Antigonish Office
BW – Bridgewater Office
Cells Duty Counsel – Legal representation provided by a Staff Lawyer at
the court. This representation is provided to only those individuals detained
in cells.
Certificate – Contract entered into between the Nova Scotia Legal Aid
Commission and a private lawyer to provide legal representation to clients
who qualify for Legal Aid services but cannot be represented by the local
Nova Scotia Legal Aid Office due to conflicts of interest. Nova Scotia Legal
Aid continues to give individuals charged with offences punishable by
mandatory life imprisonment (murder) a choice of defence counsel and this
results in Certificates being issued to private lawyers as well.
CFSA – Children and Family Services Act
CPP – Canada Pension Plan
Dalhousie Legal Aid Service – A Legal Aid Service affiliated with Schulich
School of Law and which receives a grant from the Nova Scotia Legal Aid
Commission. The Dalhousie Legal Aid Service provides services to its clients
through its staff lawyers with the assistance of Schulich School of Law
students who are supervised by their staff lawyers while gaining clinical legal
experience. Dalhousie Legal Aid Service represents a number of clients who
have qualified for Legal Aid on application to the Commission. The Dalhousie
Legal Aid Service is compensated for those clients according to the terms of
the Legal Aid Certificate issued in the matter and the Nova Scotia Legal Aid
Tariff.
45
GLOSSARY OF TERMS
DR – Dartmouth Office
EI – Employment Insurance
Full Service - Full Service matters are all those matters which require a
higher commitment of legal resources than can be serviced as a Summary
Service.
HAN – Halifax Agricola Street Office
HAS – Halifax Spring Garden Road Office
HRM YDC – Youth & Duty Counsel Office for the Halifax Regional
Municipality
IA – Income Assistance
IPTA – Involuntary Psychiatric Treatment Act
KE - Kentville Office
Matters Completed - Cases which concluded in the fiscal year.
MH – Mental Health Office
Mental Health Legal Services – services provided in the area of Mental
Health, including representation in the Mental Health Court.
NG - New Glasgow Office
Northeast Corridor Office – conflict services and Summary Advice Counsel
to Family Courts provided in the Northeast Corridor of the Province.
Pending Decision – Applications for Legal Aid received in the fiscal year for
which a decision has yet to be made.
PH – Port Hawkesbury Office - For the purposes of this Report, caseload
statistics for the PH Office continue to be reported under Antigonish Office.
POV – Poverty law
46
GLOSSARY OF TERMS
Private Lawyers - Members of the private Bar representing clients by way
of a Nova Scotia Legal Aid Certificate.
Reciprocal - Outgoing - An application for Legal Aid which is forwarded to
another Province/Territory where the Nova Scotia resident requires legal
representation. All Provinces and Territories, by agreement, participate in
this exchange of applications for Legal Aid.
Rejected Services - Applicants for Nova Scotia Legal Aid who were not
provided with service due to financial ineligibility, lack of merit, or the
service requested was outside of the scope of service.
SAC Duty Counsel – This is the Summary Advice Counsel (Duty Counsel)
provided by two Staff Lawyers located at the Supreme Court, Family Division
locations in Halifax and Sydney. SAC provide summary advice in family law
matters. This project is an effort to respond to the unmet needs of selfrepresented family law litigants for legal advice. Further, it is expected that
providing summary legal advice to self-represented litigants in the Family
Division may result in timelier processing of family law cases involving selfrepresented litigants.
Staff Lawyers - Lawyers employed by the Nova Scotia Legal Aid
Commission.
Staff Duty Counsel - Lawyers employed by the Nova Scotia Legal Aid
Commission who provide legal representation, either by telephone or in
person, to people detained in the Provincial Court Cells or at a police station.
The Staff Lawyers also, on occasion, provide Duty Counsel services to family
or civil clients as the situation may require.
Summary Service - Summary Service matters are those matters which
require a lesser commitment of legal resources and are serviced through
advice.
SY - Sydney Office
SYDC – Sydney Duty Counsel Office
TR - Truro Office
WI - Windsor Office
47
GLOSSARY OF TERMS
YA - Yarmouth Office
YCJA - Youth Criminal Justice Act
48
NSLAC 36th Annual Report 2012/2013
Published September 2013