JUSTICE BATEMAN RETIRES

After 20 years on the Bench, the Honourable Nancy J. Bateman has retired from the Nova Scotia Court of Appeal.

Justice Bateman was called to the Bar in 1977 after graduating from the Dalhousie University Law School. She specialized in Family Law during her career in private practice in Dartmouth and Halifax. She was also actively involved in the Nova Scotia Barrister’s Society as a member of Bar Council, Chair of the Bar Admissions Course and member of various committees. And she was a frequent presenter at legal education events.

Then, in 1990, she was appointed County Court Judge in District #1 and, three years later, elevated to the Supreme Court.

She was appointed to the Nova Scotia Court of Appeal in April of 1995.

Justice Bateman has always been keenly interested in emerging technology particularly as it affects the work of judges and the courts. She was an early member of what was then known as the national Judges’ Computer Committee (now the Judges Technology Advisory Committee). Justice Bateman was involved in the development of the Courts of Nova Scotia award-winning web site and continues to oversee its expansion and day to day operation.

Of special interest to her, as well, has been the creation of a secure electronic repository for court decisions. This has become known as the Courts’ Decision Database. Flowing from the establishment of the Database was the development of a process to make these decisions readily available to the media and the public through the Web Site. This initiative has not been without challenges as it must ensure the effectiveness of legal publication bans and accommodate the privacy interests of litigants. The Courts of Nova Scotia are recognized as a leader in this field.

During her years on the bench Justice Bateman has also been a presenter at numerous judicial and other legal education conferences.

Justice Bateman retired on August 4th, 2010.