Nova Scotia Barristers' Society
Encyclopedia
The Nova Scotia Barristers' Society is the statutory body charged with the regulation of the legal profession in the Canadian province of Nova Scotia
. The Legislature of Nova Scotia has enacted the Legal Profession Act, which gives lawyers in Nova Scotia the powers of self-regulation
, through the Barristers' Society. In exercising its powers under the Act, the Barristers' Society is required "... to uphold and protect the public interest in the practice of law".
The Barristers' Society has four main functions: (1) regulate standards necessary for admission to the privilege of practising law in the Province; (2) establish standards for the professional responsibility and competence of lawyers in the Province; (3) regulate the practice of law in the Province; and (4) seek to improve the administration of justice in the Province by regular consultations with members of the public who have a particular interest in the purpose of the Society.
In addition to setting the requirements for call to the Bar
and guidelines for law practice in the Province, the Society investigates and adjudicates potential professional misconduct amongst members. An appeal lies to the Nova Scotia Court of Appeal
from the decision of the Society, on any question of law raised in disciplinary proceedings.
The Barristers' Society is a member of the Federation of Law Societies of Canada, an association of the fourteen provincial and territorial bodies governing the legal profession across Canada.
Nova Scotia
Nova Scotia is one of Canada's three Maritime provinces and is the most populous province in Atlantic Canada. The name of the province is Latin for "New Scotland," but "Nova Scotia" is the recognized, English-language name of the province. The provincial capital is Halifax. Nova Scotia is the...
. The Legislature of Nova Scotia has enacted the Legal Profession Act, which gives lawyers in Nova Scotia the powers of self-regulation
Self-regulatory organization
A self-regulatory organization is an organization that exercises some degree of regulatory authority over an industry or profession. The regulatory authority could be applied in addition to some form of government regulation, or it could fill the vacuum of an absence of government oversight and...
, through the Barristers' Society. In exercising its powers under the Act, the Barristers' Society is required "... to uphold and protect the public interest in the practice of law".
The Barristers' Society has four main functions: (1) regulate standards necessary for admission to the privilege of practising law in the Province; (2) establish standards for the professional responsibility and competence of lawyers in the Province; (3) regulate the practice of law in the Province; and (4) seek to improve the administration of justice in the Province by regular consultations with members of the public who have a particular interest in the purpose of the Society.
In addition to setting the requirements for call to the Bar
Call to the bar
The Call to the Bar is a legal term of art in most common law jurisdictions where persons must be qualified to be allowed to argue in court on behalf of another party, and are then said to have been "called to the bar" or to have received a "call to the bar"...
and guidelines for law practice in the Province, the Society investigates and adjudicates potential professional misconduct amongst members. An appeal lies to the Nova Scotia Court of Appeal
Nova Scotia Court of Appeal
The Court of Appeal for Nova Scotia is the highest appeal court in the province of Nova Scotia, Canada. There are currently seven Justices and one Chief Justice. The court sits in Halifax, which is the capital of Nova Scotia...
from the decision of the Society, on any question of law raised in disciplinary proceedings.
The Barristers' Society is a member of the Federation of Law Societies of Canada, an association of the fourteen provincial and territorial bodies governing the legal profession across Canada.
External Links
- Nova Scotia Barristers' Society
- Legal Profession Act, S.N.S. 2004, c. 28
- Federation of Law Societies of Canada