TRURO, N.S.
Individuals planning to represent themselves at non-criminal hearings in the Nova Scotia Supreme Court building in Truro will soon have access to free legal advice.
Beginning Feb. 7, a new free legal clinic will be provided at the court building, located at 1 Church St.
At the start, the clinic will offer one-hour appointments on the first and third Fridays of the month, excluding holidays. Space will be provided in the courthouse for clients to meet privately with a volunteer practicing lawyer.
The Truro legal clinic is modeled after similar offices that opened in Halifax (2015,), Sydney (2017) and Yarmouth (2018).
“Since then, these clinics have provided hundreds of hours of assistance to self-represented litigants, mostly due to the dedication and generosity of volunteer lawyers and law firms in these communities,” spokeswoman Jennifer Stairs said, in a news release.
Only those representing themselves on certain types of cases, such civil law matters before the Supreme Court or Nova Scotia Court of Appeal, and certain family law matters and appeals (except for child protection matters) will be eligible.
As with other locations across the province, the Truro clinic will not deal with criminal law matters.
Duty counsel through Nova Scotia Legal Aid is available in most courthouses for assistance with criminal and family law matters that do not qualify at the clinic.
This is not a drop-in clinic and clients must schedule an appointment by appearing in person at the court administration office at the courthouse or by calling 902-893-3953.
Judges, lawyers and others involved with the provincial justice system are aware of this free service and may refer clients to the clinic early in the court process or at any point during someone’s time in court.
The free Truro legal clinic is modeled after similar offices that opened in Halifax (2015,), Sydney (2017) and Yarmouth (2018).
“Since then, these clinics have provided hundreds of hours of assistance to self-represented litigants, mostly due to the dedication and generosity of volunteer lawyers and law firms in these communities,” spokeswoman Jennifer Stairs said, in a news release.
For more information on the Nova Scotia Courts and the Judiciary support for access to justice initiatives, please visit www.courts.ns.ca.
