Update to Court Operations at Devonshire Courthouse
Following flooding and water damage, remediation work at the Devonshire courthouse (3380 Devonshire Ave., Halifax) continues. Effective August 7, 2026, in-person matters will recommence.

During ongoing remediation work, the Court Administration Office is continuing to accept filings; however, the documents counter is temporarily relocated to the main floor of the courthouse. Similarly, the front counter for the Family Law Information Program (FLIP) is temporarily relocated on the main floor. Other family law programming, including conciliation and alternative dispute resolution, will proceed by telephone. Further updates will be provided.

Justice Glen McDougall Retires from the Supreme Court

A portrait of the Honourable Glen McDougall, Justice of the Supreme Court of Nova Scotia

The Honourable Glen G. McDougall, a Justice of the Supreme Court of Nova Scotia, is retiring after almost 25 years on the Bench.

“Justice McDougall is a respected jurist who has made tremendous contributions to our province throughout his 43-year legal career,” said the Honourable Deborah K. Smith, Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of Nova Scotia. “He is known as an affable, good-natured person inside and outside the courtroom and is deserving of a well-earned retirement. On behalf of his colleagues on our Court, I wish him a happy and relaxing retirement. He will be missed.”

Born in Main à Dieu, Nova Scotia, Justice McDougall earned a Bachelor of Science degree (1976) and a Bachelor of Law degree (1982) from Dalhousie University, as well as a Master of Business Administration degree from Saint Mary’s University in 1983.

He was admitted to the Nova Scotia Bar in 1983 and would go on to work in private practice for 18 years. As a lawyer, Justice McDougall was active as a volunteer with many community organizations. He was designated Queen’s Counsel (now King’s Counsel) in 2000.

Justice McDougall was appointed to the Supreme Court of Nova Scotia on November 7, 2001, and has presided in Halifax since then. He elected supernumerary status in 2018.

Justice McDougall’s retirement is effective June 30, 2026. As a supernumerary judge, his departure does not create a vacancy on the Supreme Court. There are currently two vacancies on the Supreme Court – one in the General Division and one in the Family Division.