Privacy Statement

The Nova Scotia Judiciary and the Courts make up the Judicial Branch of government, which is separate and independent from the Executive Branch and the Legislative Branch. The Courts are not considered a public body for the purpose of the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy (FOIPOP) Act. S. 4(2) of the Act exempts most judicial information from these privacy requirements:   

(2) Notwithstanding subsection (1), this Act does not apply to 

... 

(c) a record in a court file, a record of a judge of the Court of Appeal, Supreme Court, Family Court or Provincial Court, a judicial administration record or a record relating to support services provided to the judges of those courts; 

(d) a note, communication or draft decision of a person acting in a judicial or quasi-judicial capacity... 


Courts of Nova Scotia Website 

The Courts of Nova Scotia website is maintained by staff in the Executive Office of the Nova Scotia Judiciary. By using the Courts’ website, you accept the terms of this Privacy Statement. You also accept the Executive Office’s use of Google Analytics, which is outlined in greater detail below. 

If you do not wish to use the internet to provide personal information to the Executive Office, you may contact our office in person, by telephone at 902-424-3690 or by mail using the following address: 

Executive Office of the Judiciary 
The Law Courts 
1815 Upper Water St. 
Halifax, NS  B3J 1S7 


Personal and General Information 

“Personal information” means recorded information about an identifiable individual, as defined in the FOIPOP Act. It includes information such as your name, address, telephone number, date of birth, email address, credit card data and other information that identifies you. 

“General information” (for example, the type of web browser you use and what website pages you visit) is not considered personal information. 


Why the Executive Office Collects Personal Information 

The Executive Office collects your personal information online, if you choose to provide it, in order to: 

  • respond to your email inquiries, comments or requests 

  • allow you to subscribe to receive decisions and dockets of the Nova Scotia Courts 

  • get your feedback and allow you to participate in consultations or surveys 


Communicating by Email with the Executive Office  

The general email inbox for the Courts of Nova Scotia is communications@courts.ns.ca. This inbox is monitored by staff in the Executive Office.  

If you send an email, submit an inquiry or provide feedback online, the Executive Office will use or disclose your personal information only as needed to provide you with a response. For example, the Executive Office may share necessary personal information with judges or court staff if your inquiry relates to a legal matter they are involved with. The Executive Office will only share your personal information with the individuals who need it to respond to you. 


Information About You 

The Courts’ website is housed on the provincial government web server. The Executive Office, via that web server, collects some information automatically whenever you visit the Courts’ website.  


IP Addresses 

IP addresses are considered to be personal information. IP addresses are unique numbers assigned by Internet Service Providers (ISPs) to all devices used to access the internet. Web servers record the IP addresses of visitors to their sites. The IP address, on its own, does not identify an individual. In certain circumstances, it could be used, together with other information available to government, to identify an individual using the site.  


Web Server Logs 

When you access the Courts’ website, the server collects some information about your internet connection and your browsing experience in its logs. This includes the IP address of your internet connection and information about what you access on the website. 

This information is not used to identify individuals visiting the website, unless the server detects an attempt to damage or violate the site, or if a law enforcement investigation requires it. Access to this information is protected and restricted. 


How Cookies are Used 

The Courts’ website uses cookies, which are small pieces of data stored on your computer that capture certain pieces of information about your visit. 

Cookies do not allow the Executive Office to identify individuals. You may adjust your browser settings to reject cookies, if you choose. However, it may affect your online experience. 


Google Analytics 

The Executive Office uses Google Analytics to help us understand how you use the Courts’ website. This helps us improve the layout, navigation and location of information on the website, which can make the website more effective for users. 

Google Analytics stores information about: 

  • the pages you visit on a website 

  • how long you spend on each page 

  • how you got to the website 

  • what you click on while you’re visiting the website 

  • the type of browser or device you’re using 

  • the date and time when you access the website 

Google Analytics does not collect or store your personal information (for example your name or address), so this information can’t be used to identify you. Data collected by Google may be stored outside of Canada. 

The Executive Office does not allow Google to use or share our analytics data. 

You can opt out of Google Analytics. 


Links to Other Websites 

The Courts’ website includes links to external websites managed by other public and private sector organizations in the justice system. The Executive Office is not responsible for the protection of any information you give to these websites or the content on these websites. 


Protecting your Personal Information 

The Executive Office cannot guarantee the privacy and security of email messages sent from your computer to the general communications email because this information might be transmitted without encryption. For your protection, you should always carefully consider the type and the amount of personal information you send by email.