Nova Scotia has different levels of court that deal with different legal issues.
- Small Claim Court deals with many civil matters where a person is suing, or being sued, for $25,000 or less.
- The Provincial Court hears most criminal cases in Nova Scotia but it cannot deal with very serious criminal charges, like murder trials.
- The Probate Court deals with wills and estate issues.
- Nova Scotia Supreme Court hears serious criminal cases including jury trials and most civil law suits that involve sums of more than $25,000.
- The Supreme Court (Family Division) deals with all family law matters in Nova Scotia.
- The Nova Scotia Court of Appeal is the highest court in Nova Scotia, and plays a significant role in interpreting Nova Scotia law. Appeals of decisions of lower courts in the province are heard by the Court of Appeal. A decision of this court can, with permission ('leave' of the court), be appealed to the Supreme Court of Canada, the highest court in Canada.
Once the Supreme Court of Canada has said what the law is, only the federal Parliament (if the law in question is federal) or the provincial legislature (if it is a provincial law), can change it by passing new legislation, or by changing existing legislation. However, if the law is part of the Constitution, then the ruling of the courts is final and cannot be changed by the federal parliament or the provincial legislature.
There are special federal courts that deal with specific matters such as tax and immigration.
For more information on courts, visit: