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.

Supreme Court Welcomes New Associate Chief Justice

A portrait of the Honourable Darlene Jamies, Associate Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of Nova Scotia

The Supreme Court of Nova Scotia welcomes Justice Darlene Jamieson as its new Associate Chief Justice.

The appointment was announced by the Prime Minister on November 8, 2025. It is effective immediately.

“Associate Chief Justice Jamieson is an exceptional, well-respected judge who has made innumerable contributions to the Supreme Court,” said the Honourable Deborah K. Smith, Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of Nova Scotia. “I look forward to working closely with her in this new leadership role. I know her expertise and thoughtfulness will serve our Court well.”

The Hon. Associate Chief Justice Darlene Jamieson

Associate Chief Justice Jamieson graduated from Saint Mary’s University with a Bachelor of Arts degree (summa cum laude) in 1985 and Dalhousie University’s Schulich School of Law in 1988. She was admitted to the Nova Scotia Bar in 1989.

As a lawyer, Associate Chief Justice Jamieson worked in private practice, appearing before all levels of court. She was appointed Queen’s Counsel (now King’s Counsel) in 2006.

Appointed to the Supreme Court of Nova Scotia in 2018, Associate Chief Justice Jamieson is a member of numerous local and national committees, including the Courthouse Standards Committee, the Supreme Court Bench Bar Liaison Committee, the National Steering Committee on Bankruptcy and Insolvency and three National Judicial Institute planning committees.

Associate Chief Justice Jamieson’s appointment fills the vacancy created when former Associate Chief Justice Patrick Duncan elected supernumerary status in June 2025. As of November 10, there are four vacancies on the Supreme Court – three in the General Division and one in the Family Division.