Impact to Court Operations at Devonshire Courthouse
Until further notice, due to ongoing remediation work at the courthouse at 3380 Devonshire Ave., court matters scheduled at that location will proceed by videoconference, telephone or in person at the Law Courts, 1815 Upper Water St., Halifax. The Scheduling Office is in the process of contacting counsel and parties with instructions for each matter.
 
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 to the scheduling window, just inside the main entrance. Other family law programming, including conciliation and alternative dispute resolution, will proceed by telephone.
 
Holiday Reminder
Courthouses across the province will be closed on Monday, August 3 (Civic Holiday), reopening on Tuesday, August 4.

New Judge Appointed to Supreme Court (Family Division)

Nova Scotia Courts News

The Supreme Court of Nova Scotia (Family Division) welcomes a new judge with the appointment of Justice Stacey D. O’Neill.

The appointment was announced by the federal Minister of Justice and Attorney General of Canada on November 7, 2025. It is effective immediately.

“I am pleased to have Justice O’Neill join the Supreme Court of Nova Scotia. She has dedicated her legal career to family law, and I know her expertise and experience will be a valuable asset to her on the Family Division,” said the Honourable Deborah K. Smith, Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of Nova Scotia. “On behalf of the Supreme Court of Nova Scotia, I welcome Justice O’Neill to the Bench and look forward to working with her.”

The Hon. Justice Stacey D. O’Neill

Justice Stacey O’Neill graduated from McGill University with a Bachelor of Commerce degree in 2004 and Dalhousie University’s Schulich School of Law in 2009. She was admitted to the Nova Scotia Bar in 2010.

Justice O’Neill has worked in various areas of the family justice system, including in private practice, and as a conciliator, adjudicator and court officer with the Supreme Court of Nova Scotia (Family Division). She has made many contributions to family law reform and has participated on national family law committees, international roundtables and experts’ groups.

Justice O’Neill’s appointment fills the vacancy created when Justice Theresa M. Forgeron elected supernumerary status in August 2025. As of November 10, there are four vacancies on the Supreme Court – three in the General Division and one in the Family Division.