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.

New Member Appointed to Review Committee

Nova Scotia Courts News

The Hon. Chief Justice Deborah K. Smith, in her role as Acting Chair of the Nova Scotia Judicial Council, has appointed a new member to the independent Review Committee investigating concerns raised about a Provincial Court judge. 

In December 2023, Chief Justice Smith appointed Judge Alan Tufts, Jane O’Neill, K.C., and Joseph Gillis to sit on the Review Committee to look into the conduct of Judge Alain Bégin. They began their work shortly after. Earlier this month, Ms. O’Neill advised her colleagues that she is unable to continue, due to personal reasons, and is withdrawing from the Review Committee.

Melanie Petrunia has agreed to replace her on the Review Committee, effective immediately.

Ms. Petrunia is a Halifax-based lawyer and adjudicator. Her full biography is available online at https://www.petrunialaw.com/about.

The work of the Review Committee is still underway. As per the Provincial Court Act, the members of the Committee will consider the cases referred to them and decide whether to dismiss the complaints, resolve them with the agreement of the judge involved, or refer them to a hearing of the Nova Scotia Judicial Council.

Like with past reviews, when the work of the Review Committee is complete, a report will be prepared. In this case, that report will be provided to the Acting Chair of the Judicial Council.