The Honourable C. Richard Coughlan is retiring after 24 years as a Justice of the Supreme Court of Nova Scotia.

“Justice Coughlan is an experienced and well-respected jurist who served the public well throughout his impressive legal and judicial career”, said the Honourable Deborah K. Smith, Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of Nova Scotia. “On behalf of his colleagues on the Supreme Court, I offer congratulations and best-wishes to Justice Coughlan on his retirement and this next chapter of his life. In the past, Justice Coughlan has been instrumental in marking the retirements of his fellow judges and it is now his turn to be celebrated. He will be missed on the Supreme Court.”

Justice Coughlan, who was born in Bridgewater, earned a Bachelor of Arts degree from Saint Mary’s University in 1972 (graduating cum laude) and a Bachelor of Laws degree from Dalhousie University in 1975. He was called to the Nova Scotia Bar the same year.

He began his legal career in private practice, joining the firm of Coughlan and Coughlan, which was established by his great-uncle, Arthur Roberts, K.C., in 1890. Justice Coughlan practiced with his father, the late Cyril Richard (C.R.) Coughlan, Q.C. He was a general practitioner throughout his career.

He was designated Queen’s Counsel (now King’s Counsel) on June 30, 1992.

Justice Coughlan was appointed to the Supreme Court of Nova Scotia on March 1, 2001. He elected supernumerary status in 2016.

As a lawyer, he was active in the legal community, serving as President of the Nova Scotia Barristers’ Society, President of the Nova Scotia Branch of the Canadian Bar Association, a member of the National Executive of the Canadian Bar Association, President of the Western Counties Bar Association, a member of the Nova Scotia Legal Aid Commission, Vice Chair of the Continuing Legal Education Society of Nova Scotia and a frequent presenter at legal education programs. Justice Coughlan was Co-Chair of the Registry 2000 Legislative Committee which developed legislation redesigning the land registration system in Nova Scotia.

He was also active in his community, serving as Chair of the South Shore Regional Hospital Foundation, President of the Bridgewater Kinsmen Club, President of the Bridgewater Chamber of Commerce and Chair of the Bridgewater Development Commission.

Justice Coughlan’s retirement is effective April 30, 2025. As a supernumerary judge, his departure does not create a vacancy on the Supreme Court.

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Media Contact:
Andrew Preeper
Communications Director
Nova Scotia Judiciary
902-222-0266
Andrew.Preeper@courts.ns.ca