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Lawyers & Legal Help

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Free and low cost legal help in Nova Scotia

Find Free or Low cost legal help in Nova Scotia

Services available include legal advice and representation, legal information, and help with resolving disputes without going to court.

If you cannot find what you are looking for, please call Legal Information Nova Scotia's free Legal Information Line at 1-800-665-9779 or 902-455-3135 and we will try to help.

Aboriginal Services

Confederacy of Mainland Mi'kmaq

The mission of the Confederacy of Mainland Mi'kmaq (CMM) is to proactively promote and assist Mi’kmaw communities’ initiatives toward self determination and enhancement of community.  The CMM has a number of plain language public legal education materials to help the Mi’kmaq understand their rights and responsibilities under the law, including:

1.  How to Write a Will
2.  How to Settle an Estate
3.  How to Write a Power of Attorney & Personal Directive

Contact:

Address: 57 Martin Crescent Truro, NS B2N 6N7
Phone:  902-895-6385 or 1-877-892-2424
Website: cmmns.com

Areas of law: Wills and Estates law, Family law

Mi'kmaq Legal Support Network

The Mi’kmaq Legal Support Network provides legal support services and victim support services to Aboriginal people in Nova Scotia, particularly through the Mi'kmaw Court Worker Program and the Mi'kmaw Customary Law Program.

Contact:

  • Phone:
    • Cape Breton: 902-379-2042
    • Dartmouth: 902-468-0381
    • Truro: 902-895-1141
    • Toll-free: 1-877-379-2042

Area of law: Criminal law, including victim support

Aboriginal Justice Initiative, Nova Scotia Legal Aid

This program offers services to Aboriginal peoples and communities, both on and off reserve. Outreach services in and near Aboriginal communities is offered in Indian Brook, Paq'tnkek, Wagmatcook, We'koqma'q, Potlokek, Eskasoni.  Outreach is also provided at the Mi'kmaw Native Friendship Centre in Halifax.  Aboriginal lawyers are available in Dartmouth, Windsor, Sydney, Millbrook, Bridgewater, and Yarmouth. 

Contact:

Areas of law: Family Law, Criminal Law, and Social Justice (income assistance, residential tenancies, CPP disability, EI)

Resource Guide for people who work with Indigenous Clients in the Atlantic Canadian Justice System

Bringing Balance to the Scales of Justice: Fulfilling Our Responsibility to Indigenous People involved in the Justice System (2018)

A resource guide that provides a general introduction to justice issues for people who work with Indigenous clients in the Atlantic Canadian justice system. The first half of the guide focuses on an overview of the post-colonial experiences of Indigenous people in Atlantic Canada, explores the reasons for Indigenous overrepresentation in the justice system and reviews efforts to reduce this overrepresentation.  The second half provides insights into traditional Indigenous views on justice and healing and outlines some of the common ceremonial practices that can be successfully integrated into justice programs.

Published by: Mi’kmaq Confederacy of PEI - Indigenous Justice Program

Civil law (lawsuits, Supreme Court, Court of Appeal)

Free Legal Clinic: Halifax Law Courts

If you are going to the Supreme Court or Court of Appeal in Halifax without a lawyer, the Free Legal Clinic at the Halifax Law Courts may be able to help. The Clinic provides information and advice on civil law issues before the Supreme Court or the Court of Appeal.  Family law issues, except child protection appeals, going before the Court of Appeal also qualify.

The Clinic does not deal with criminal law issues in either Court, or family law issues in the Supreme Court Family Division. See the Family Law section for information about family law help services, including for the Supreme Court Family Division.

There is no income threshold to meet. Everyone qualifies for this free service, as long as your case meets the criteria above.  

You can make an appointment to meet with a volunteer lawyer and law student for a private, free 60 minute session.  The Clinic is open most Thursdays between 9:00 am and 1:00 pm in the Law Courts building 1815 Upper Water St., across from the foot of Duke Street. The Clinic area and the courthouse administration office are to the left when you come through the main entrance on the 2nd Floor.  Follow the signs or ask at the reception desk.

This is not a drop-in clinic.  You must schedule an appointment to be seen.

To make an appointment, call:

  • 902-424-6900 for Supreme Court matters
  • 902-424-6937 for Court of Appeal matters

You can also visit the Courts' Website for more information.

Area of law: Civil law

Free Legal Clinic: Sydney Courthouse

If you are going to the Supreme Court or Court of Appeal in Sydney without a lawyer, the Free Legal Clinic at the Sydney Courthouse may be able to help. The Clinic provides information and advice on civil law issues before the Supreme Court or the Court of Appeal.

The Clinic does not deal with criminal law or family law issues in either Court.  See the Family Law section for information about family law help services, including for the Supreme Court Family Division.

There is no income threshold to meet. Everyone qualifies for this free service, as long as your case meets the criteria mentioned above.

You can make an appointment to meet with a volunteer lawyer for a private, free 60 minute session.  The Clinic happens most Fridays, with appointments available at 10:00 am and 11:00 am. The Clinic is on the main floor of the courthouse at 136 Charlotte Street in Sydney. Follow the signs or ask at the reception desk to the right of the main doors.

This is not a drop-in clinic. You must schedule an appointment to be seen.

To make an appointment:

  • call 902-563-3550, or make an appointment in person at the Court Administration office at the Sydney courthouse, 136 Charlotte Street

You can also visit the Courts' website for more information.  

Area of law: Civil law

Free Legal Advice for Sexual Assault Survivors

The Legal Advice for Sexual Assault Survivors Program provides up to 4 hours of free, independent legal advice for sexual assault survivors who are 16 years of age or older. You do not have to report to police or take legal action if you use this service.

Registration is done through an independent agency, 211 Nova Scotia. Dial 2-1-1 for intake. Go to novascotia.ca/sexualassaultlegaladvice/ for more information.

Areas of law: Criminal, Civil

Copyright, Trademarks, Patents

Artists' Legal Information Society

The Artists’ Legal Information Society provides legal information, workshops and library resources to emerging artists of all types.

Contact:

Areas of law: contracts, defamation, copyright, trademarks, royalties and more.

Canadian Intellectual Property Office

The Canadian Intellectual Property Office is a federal government office that provides legal information and services on trademarks, patents, copyright, industrial designs and integrated circuit topographies.

Contact:

Areas of law: Intellectual Property.

Criminal law

Free Legal Advice for Sexual Assault Survivors

The Legal Advice for Sexual Assault Survivors Program provides up to 4 hours of free, independent legal advice for sexual assault survivors who are 16 years of age or older. You do not have to report to police or take legal action if you use this service.

Registration is done through an independent agency, 211 Nova Scotia. Dial 2-1-1 for intake. Go to novascotia.ca/sexualassaultlegaladvice/ for more information.

Areas of law: Criminal, Civil

Halifax Regional Police Victim Services Help with Applying for a Peace Bond

Individuals who wish to apply for a peace bond through the Provincial Court in Halifax and Dartmouth can get support from Halifax Regional Police (HRP) Victim Services. Victim Services volunteers will provide potential and current applicants with information on the application process, assistance to complete the application forms and ongoing emotional support.

Contact:

Click here for Information about Peace Bonds and how to apply for one

Area of law: Criminal

Nova Scotia Legal Aid Advice and Representation

Nova Scotia Legal Aid

Nova Scotia Legal Aid provides legal information, advice and representation to Nova Scotians on criminal defence law issues. To get start to finish help with your case (full representation) you must be getting income assistance or have an equally low income.  Contact Nova Scotia Legal Aid for further information, and go here for information about services and areas of criminal law covered.

Contact:

Areas of law: Criminal, Prison law

Nova Scotia Legal Aid Duty Counsel for all Nova Scotians facing criminal or drug charges

Help from Duty Counsel lawyers is available to all Nova Scotians facing criminal or drug charges.

Nova Scotia Legal Aid Duty Counsel is available for:

  • free, summary (brief) legal advice at court for those who do not have a lawyer
  • youth and adults in custody (Criminal Law, court appearance at Bail Hearing)
  • Emergency legal advice by telephone is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year, province-wide, if you have been arrested or detained by police

Contact:

Area of law: Adult and youth criminal law

Mi'kmaq Legal Support Network

The Mi’kmaq Legal Support Network provides legal support services and victim support services to Aboriginal people in Nova Scotia, particularly through the Mi'kmaw Court Worker Program and the Mi'kmaw Customary Law Program.

Contact:

  • Phone:
    • Cape Breton: 902-379-2042
    • Dartmouth: 902-468-0381
    • Truro: 902-895-1141
    • Toll-free: 1-877-379-2042

Area of law: Criminal law

Debt and Credit issues

Bankruptcy Assistance Program-Superintendent of Bankruptcy

If you are considering bankruptcy, you'll need the help of a licensed professional who administers the bankruptcy process, called a Licensed Insolvency Trustee (LIT). Licensed Insolvency Trustees are licensed by the federal Office of the Superintendent of Bankruptcy.

If you are unable to get an LIT to accept your file, or if you cannot afford to hire an LIT, the Bankruptcy Assistance Program may be able to help if you:

  • have contacted at least two LITs and tried to obtain their services
  • are not, and have not recently been, involved in commercial activities
  • are not required to make surplus income payments; and
  • are not in jail.

Contact:

  • Office of the Superintendent of Bankruptcy Canada
  • Phone: 1-877-376-9902
  • Website: osb.ic.gc.ca

Areas of law: Credit and debt law, Bankruptcy law

Dalhousie Legal Aid

Dalhousie Legal Aid is a community legal clinic that provides legal aid services to people otherwise unable to obtain legal advice. Contact Dalhousie Legal Aid directly about legal issues for people with low incomes, such as income assistance, disputes with Nova Scotia Power.

Contact:

Areas of law: Mainly family law and youth criminal law, but also represents low income clients for Income Assistance, tenancy and housing rights, human rights complaints, police and school board complaints, mental health, debt problems, and disputes with Nova Scotia Power.

Debtor Assistance Program, Service Nova Scotia

The Debtor Assistance Program helps people experiencing financial difficulty deal with their creditors. You can meet with a licensed administrator who will review your situation and discuss options. If appropriate, administrators can file consumer proposals under the federal Bankruptcy Act. A consumer proposal is a debt repayment plan that avoids bankruptcy and is legally binding on creditors, if accepted. Administrators cannot file bankruptcy applications (you need a licensed insolvency trustee for that).

This service is available at Access Nova Scotia offices.

Contact:

Nova Scotia Legal Aid

Nova Scotia Legal Aid provides a wide variety of services and programs to economically vulnerable Nova Scotians.

To get start-to-finish help with your case (full representation) you must be getting income assistance or have an equally low income. Free legal information and brief (summary) legal advice may be available for debt issues. It is important to contact Nova Scotia Legal Aid and fill out an application to see what help they can provide. 

Contact:

Areas of law: Credit and debt

Employment, Employment Insurance, Workers' Compensation

Labour Standards Nova Scotia

Labour Standards Division, NS Department of Labour & Advanced Education

The Nova Scotia Labour Standards Code applies to employers, employees (including foreign workers), and recruiters. The Labour Standards Division addresses inquiries and complaints from the public about how the provincial Labour Standards Code applies to specific employment situations. Complaints about potential violations of the Labour Standards Code must be filed within 6 months of the issue or incident occurring. If you file a complaint an officer will try to settle the dispute and, if the dispute does not settle, will investigate and issue a formal decision, if necessary. 

Labour Standards also has an online Guide to the Nova Scotia Labour Standards Code

Contact:

Area of law: Employment law

Employment Insurance Appeals

Nova Scotia Legal Aid provides information, advice and representation about Employment Insurance Appeals. To get start to finish help with your case (full representation) you must be getting income assistance or have an equally low income. Contact Legal Aid for information about help with an Employment Insurance issue.

Nova Scotia Legal Aid has online legal information about Employment Insurance Appeals

Contact:

Areas of law: Administrative law, Employment Insurance

Free legal services (advice, representation) for Workers' Compensation issues

Workers' Advisers Program Nova Scotia

This Workers' Advisers Program offers legal services to eligible injured workers and their families, who are seeking compensation under Nova Scotia's Workers’ Compensation Act.  Services are offered at all levels of appeals, including at Court in special cases. In general, in order to qualify for services, an injured worker must have a reasonable expectation of success in obtaining at least $500, or the equivalent, in an appeal from a Workers' Compensation Board written decision.  The legal services are provided independently of the Workers’ Compensation Board and the Workers’ Compensation Appeals Tribunal. Clients of the program are in a solicitor/client relationship with the program and its staff, in the same way as they would be with any other lawyer or law firm in Nova Scotia.

Contact:

  • Address:
    • Halifax: 502–5670 Spring Garden Road Halifax, NS  B3J 2X1
    • Sydney: 5–1030 Upper Prince Street Sydney, NS  B1P 5P6
  • Phone (voice & TTY): 1-800-774-4712 (Halifax office) or 1-800-890-6786 (Sydney office)
  • Website: novascotia.ca/lae/wap/

Area of law: Workers' Compensation

Information, advocacy, support on Workers' Compensation issues

Office of the Worker Counsellor

The Office of the Worker Counsellor offers information, advice, education and advocacy for injured workers, their representatives in the workplace and their family members on all aspects of workers’ compensation in Nova Scotia.

Contact:

  • Address: Suite 220-3700 Kempt Road, Halifax, NS 
  • Phone : 902-455-5455 or 1 877-220-2722
  • Website: workercounsellor.ca

Area of law: Workers' Compensation

Environmental Law

East Coast Environmental Law

East Coast Environmental Law

East Coast Environmental Law (ECELAW) is a non-profit organization that envisions a clean, healthy environment that is protected by the fair application of strong environmental laws. ECELAW was founded in 2007 with a mission to provide public access to environmental law information and advice, to promote the development and equitable application of progressive environmental laws, and to assist in the development of the next generation of lawyers who are committed to using the law to achieve environmental protection and sustainability. ECELAW provides a public inquiry service, partners with other environmental organizations, holds workshops, publishes citizen guides and research papers, and mentors environmental law students.

Contact:
• Phone: 902-494-7121 (Environmental law Inquiry Service)
• Website: www.ecelaw.ca

Areas of law: Environmental issues including aquaculture, fur farming, migratory birds, protected areas

Family law

Nova Scotia Legal Aid Advice and Representation

Nova Scotia Legal Aid

Nova Scotia Legal Aid provides legal information, advice and representation to Nova Scotians on family law issues, including child protection, custody, parenting time, child and spousal support, separation and divorce.

Some level of help is available to all Nova Scotians on family law issues. To get start to finish help with your case (full representation) you must be getting income assistance or have an equally low income.  Contact Nova Scotia Legal Aid for further information.

Contact:

Area of law: Family Law

Free Brief Legal Advice at Family Courts

Summary Advice Counsel at Family Courts

The Nova Scotia Legal Aid Summary Advice lawyers at Family Courts across Nova Scotia helps people who need legal advice on a family law matter, but who do not have a lawyer. The Summary Advice lawyer provides basic legal advice, free of charge, regardless of how much you make or where you get your income. Summary Advice Counsel lawyers do not go to court with people.  You can get basic legal information and advice about how to start or respond to a Family Court Application, help with legal documentation for Family Court, advice on consequences of agreeing or not agreeing to a court order, other aspects of Family Law, including if you are considering possible future Family Law issues and would like some advice.    

Your case or issue must be somehow related to the court where the Summary Advice lawyer is located. For example, if you are applying to the court in Halifax, you should book an appointment with the lawyer in Halifax.

Contact to make an appointment:

Area of law: Family Law

Dalhousie Legal Aid Advice and Representation

Dalhousie Legal Aid Service

Dalhousie Legal Aid provides legal aid services to Nova Scotians who have a lower income and who would otherwise be unable to obtain legal advice. Generally, for family law issues you must first apply to Nova Scotia Legal Aid before being assigned a lawyer at Dalhousie Legal Aid.

Contact:

Area of law: Family law

General

Nova Scotia Legal Aid Information, Advice, Representation

Nova Scotia Legal Aid

Nova Scotia Legal Aid offers legal information, legal advice and representation.   To get start to finish help with your case (full representation) you must fill out an application and meet income and area of law requirements.

Nova Scotia Legal Aid only provides lawyers for certain types of law, generally Family Law, Criminal Law, and Social Justice, which includes Income assistance, Residential tenancies (tenant rights), CPP disability, and EI - Employment Insurance, Prison Law, Adult Capacity and Decision-making, Involuntary Psychiatric Treatment, Adult Protection. 

Go to nslegalaid.ca for more information about available services and areas of law covered. 

Youth qualify for services independently of their family.

Contact:

Dalhousie Legal Aid Services

Dalhousie Legal Aid Service is a community legal clinic that provides legal aid services to people otherwise unable to obtain legal advice.

Generally, you must first apply to Nova Scotia Legal Aid before getting a lawyer at Dalhousie Legal Aid for family law or youth criminal law issues. Contact Dalhousie Legal Aid directly about legal issues for people with low incomes, such as income assistance, tenant rights, human rights complaints, police and school board complaints, mental health, debt problems, and disputes with Nova Scotia Power.  Contact Dalhousie Legal Aid for details about services and areas of law covered.

Contact:

Lawyers in private practice: flexible fee options

Here are some things to ask about if you are looking for a lawyer in private practice and cost is an issue:

  • do you offer pro bono (free) help?
  • can you help me with just part of my case? Lawyers call this a "Limited Scope Retainer"
  • do you offer coaching for people who are representing themselves? Coaching is basically out-of-court strategic support
  • do you charge a flat fee for this type of work?
  • will you consider a contingency fee agreement?
  • what is your hourly rate?
  • can the lawyer wait to get paid once you get the money you are seeking (for example, spousal support, matrimonial property division).

Lawyer in private practice who are part of Legal Info Nova Scotia's Lawyer Referral Service offer an initial up to 30 minute consultation for no more than $20 plus tax.  The Lawyer Referral Service has information about what fee options Lawyer Referral Service members may consider after the intial consultation, including lower cost fee options like:

  • contingency fee arrangements
  • limited scope retainer
  • flat fees.

More Information about Finding a lawyer, and How lawyers charge for their work

Housing

Dalhousie Legal Aid Tenant Rights Advice

Dalhousie Legal Aid Service

Dalhousie Legal Aid provides free information, advice and representation to tenants on Residential Tenancies and low income housing issues. Contact Dalhousie Legal Aid for details.

Download Dalhousie Legal Aid's Tenant Rights Guide

Contact:

Areas of law: Residential tenancies (Tenant rights), Administrative law

Nova Scotia Legal Aid Tenant Rights Advice

Nova Scotia Legal Aid

Nova Scotia Legal Aid provides free legal information, advice and representation on Residential Tenancies issues for tenants.  To get start to finish help with your case (full representation) you must be getting income assistance or have an equally low income.  Contact Nova Scotia Legal Aid for further information.

Nova Scotia Legal Aid has online legal information about tenant rights

Contact:

Areas of law: Residential tenancies (Tenant rights), Administrative law

Residential Tenancies (Service Nova Scotia)

Residential Tenancies (Service Nova Scotia)

The Residential Tenancies program, part of Service Nova Scotia, is the Nova Scotia government office that deals with residential landlord and tenant disputes. The Residential Tenancies program helps landlords and tenants understand their rights, and exercise those rights when necessary. They offer a range of services, including dispute resolution, residential tenancies forms and information booklets for both landlords and tenants.

Contact:

Area of law: Residential Tenancies, for Landlords and Tenants

Condominium Dispute Resolution

Service Nova Scotia: Condominium Dispute Resolution

Service Nova Scotia offers information about condominium ownership, how condominium corporations are operated, what costs are involved in condominium ownership, and what to watch for when buying a new or existing condominium. They also offer ways for resolving disputes between condominium owners and condominium corporations - dispute resolution for minor disputes, and arbitration for other issues. There is a $124.60 fee to apply for dispute resolution.

Contact:

Area of law: Condominium law

Income Assistance (Welfare)

Dalhousie Legal Aid Income Assistance Advice

Dalhousie Legal Aid Service

Dalhousie Legal Aid provides free information, advice and representation to low income Nova Scotians on income assistance issues. 

Download Dalhousie Legal Aid's Welfare Rights Guide

Contact:

Areas of law: Income Assistance, Administrative law

Nova Scotia Legal Aid Income Assistance Advice

Nova Scotia Legal Aid

Nova Scotia Legal Aid provides free legal information, advice and representation on income assistance issues for low income Nova Scotians.  Contact Nova Scotia Legal Aid for further information.

Youth qualify for services independently of their family.

Nova Scotia Legal Aid has online legal information about Income Assistance

Contact:

Areas of law: Income assistance, Administrative law

Immigrants, Refugees

Atlantic Refugee and Immigrant Services

Atlantic Refugee and Immigrant Services Project (ARIS), Salvation Army

ARIS provides services to refugees and immigrants who cannot afford a lawyer. They offer help with the immigration process, including making refugee claims, citizenship applications, humanitarian and compassionate applications, and spousal sponsorship applications. They also provide assistance with finding temporary shelter, scheduling medical appointments, and more.

Service is provided at the Spryfield Community Church & Family Resource Centre.

Contact:

Areas of law: Immigration, Refugee law

Halifax Refugee Clinic Advice and Representation

Halifax Refugee Clinic

The Halifax Refugee Clinic is a non-profit, non-government organization serving refugee claimants, refugees and people in need of protection in Nova Scotia. They provide free legal and settlement services to people who cannot afford the services of private legal counsel.

Contact:

Area of law: Refugee law

Immigrant Services Association of Nova Scotia

Immigrant Services Association of Nova Scotia (ISANS)

Provides services to help immigrants settle in NS, as well as refugee resettlement, language training, employment services, business services, community connections, family counselling, and more.

ISANS is able to refer clients to outreach legal services offered at ISANS by:

  • Nova Scotia Legal Aid: family and social justice (income assistance, tenant rights, CPP, EI)
  • Dalhousie's Schulich School of Law Pro Bono: immigration applications
  • McInnes Cooper: business law services.

ISANS clients must be referred by ISANS staff to legal services available at ISANS. Arrive 15 minutes earlier to complete an application form and bring two documents-proof of income and ID such as Permanent Resident or citizenship card.

Nova Scotia Legal Aid provides legal information, summary advice and eligibility assessment at ISANS every 4th Wednesday of the month for ISANS clients, by appointment only. Family law only.

Dalhousie Schulich School of Law pro bono law students provide legal information and assistance with applications for permanent residency, citizenship, sponsorship.

Contact:

  • Address: 6960 Mumford Road, Suite 2120, Halifax, Nova Scotia, B3L 4P1
  • Phone: 902-423-3607 or 1-866-431-6472 (toll free in NS)
  • www.isans.ca

Areas of law: Immigration law, Family Law, Business Law, Social Justice (for example - income assistance, tenant rights).

Persons with a disability

reachAbility

reachAbility, a non-profit organization, has a legal referral service providing up to a one-hour consultation with a lawyer in the practice area in question.  reachAbility also runs Form Filling Assistance clinics, to offer help filling out legal forms. These clinics are open to everyone.

Contact:

Areas of law: Insurance, wills, divorce and custody, education, tenancy, commercial, and CPP

Renseignements ou conseils juridiques en français

Access Justice Centre

L'Association des juristes d’expression française de la Nouvelle-Écosse (AJEFNE)

Pour obtenir de l’information en français ainsi qu’une liste des juristes d’expression française en Nouvelle Écosse, veuillez communiquer avec l’Association des juristes d’expression française de la Nouvelle-Écosse (AJEFNE). L’AJEFNE est un organisme à but non lucratif fondé en 1994 pour promouvoir l’accès aux services juridiques pour la population acadienne et francophone de la Nouvelle-Écosse.

  • Address: 1663, rue Brunswick, Halifax, Nouvelle-Écosse B3J 3Z6
  • Téléphone : (902) 433-2085, sans frais : 1-844-250-8471
  • www.ajefne.ns.ca/

Cliquez justice

Cliquez justice

Pour obtenir de l’information en français en ligne, consultez le site web CliquezJustice.ca. CliquezJustice.ca est un portail canadien d’information juridique simplifiée qui aide à comprendre ses droits et obligations pour mieux gérer les situations juridiques du quotidien.

Wills, Power of Attorney, Personal Directives, other estate issues

Dalhousie Wills Project

Dalhousie Schulich School of Law Wills Project

The project allows low income seniors to meet with a lawyer, in the lawyer’s office or at a client’s home on request, to get a will, power of attorney, or personal directive done. To be eligible, you should have no real property interest (you do not own your home), have an income of less than $25,000 a year, have assets less than $65,000, and should be 65 years of age or older. Criteria are flexible, and those who fall outside the criteria may also use the service if resources permit.

Contact:

  • Phone: 902-494-3704

Areas of law: Draft wills, Power of Attorney, and Personal Directive documents

Youth services

Nova Scotia Legal Aid Advice and Representation for Youth

Nova Scotia Legal Aid provides full service representation (start to finish help) to youth between the ages of 12 to 18 on youth criminal justice issues.

Nova Scotia Legal Aid Duty Counsel is available for youth in custody and youth at court who do not have a lawyer.  Duty Counsel is available 24/7 province-wide for emergency help for youth in police custody (arrested or detained). Available around the province. Contact your local Legal Aid office.

Nova Scotia Legal Aid provides in-office summary legal advice (brief advice) to anyone between the ages of 12 to 18 on social justice issues, including:

  • Tickets (for example: Motor Vehicle Act, Protection of Property Act, Liquor Control Act, Off-Highway Vehicles Act tickets)
  • School level or school board issues
  • Housing
  • License suspensions
  • Youth Ombudsman, Department of Community Services or Children and Family Services Act cases where you are a party or have a court date
  • Protection of Property Act notices where you are prevented from accessing services
  • Family court disputes between your parents or guardians where you have questions or want a voice
  • Any other situation where you have a question or need an advocate.

All youth between ages 12 to 18 qualify for this service from Legal Aid, regardless of income.  Family income does not matter. Click here for more information about Youth Services offered by Nova Scotia Legal Aid.

Contact:

Area of law: youth criminal law, social justice law

Dalhousie Legal Aid Advice and Representation for Youth

Dalhousie Legal Aid provides legal aid services to youth in trouble with the law.  For youth criminal issues you must first apply to Nova Scotia Legal Aid before being assigned a lawyer at Dalhousie Legal Aid.

Contact:


Area of law: youth criminal law

Lawyers and Legal Advice

If you have a legal problem, it is a good idea to talk to a lawyer to get legal advice.

A lawyer can:

  • explain the legal system and what to expect
  • interpret and explain the law that applies to your specific problem
  • tell you about ways to resolve your legal issue without going to court
  • advise you about the best options for you
  • check documents and other information you need
  • advocate for you in negotiations and in court
  • defend your rights and advise you about your legal responsibilities
  • give a legal opinion about what may happen in your case.

Ways to get legal advice:

  1. A lawyer in private practice (a lawyer you would pay). For more information, see Finding a Lawyer in Private Practice, and How Lawyers Charge for their Work.
  2. Nova Scotia Legal Aid
  3. Summary Legal Advice clinics (free, brief legal advice).  See our Free and Low Cost Legal Help list for more information.

Finding a lawyer in private practice (lawyer you would pay)

Lawyers in private practice: budget-friendly options

Here are some things to ask about if you are looking for a lawyer in private practice and cost is an issue:

  • do you offer pro bono (free) help?
  • can you help me with just part of my case? Lawyers call this a "Limited Scope Retainer"
  • do you offer coaching for people who are representing themselves? Coaching is basically out-of-court strategic support
  • do you charge a flat fee for this type of work?
  • will you consider a contingency fee agreement?
  • what is your hourly rate?
  • can the lawyer wait to get paid once you get the money you are seeking (for example, spousal support, matrimonial property division).

More Information about How lawyers charge for their work

Lawyers in private practice who are part of Legal Info Nova Scotia's Lawyer Referral Service offer an initial up to 30 minute consultation for no more than $20 plus tax.  The Lawyer Referral Service has information about what fee options Lawyer Referral Service members may consider after the intial consultation, including lower cost fee options like:

  • contingency fee arrangements
  • limited scope retainer
  • flat fees.

Legal Info Nova Scotia's Lawyer Referral Service

The Legal Information Society of Nova Scotia offers a Lawyer Referral Service through which you may be referred to a lawyer for an intial 30 minute consultation for no more than $20 plus tax. You would have to work out a fee arrangement if you and the lawyer decide to go ahead after the initial consultation.  Legal Info Nova Scotia has information about whether lawyers on its Lawyer Referral Service are open to considering flexible fee arrangements like monthly payments, contingency fee agreements, or limited scope retainers ("unbundled services"). See "how lawyers charge for their work" for more information about fee arrangements.

Contact:
Legal Info Nova Scotia's Lawyer Referral Service
Telephone: 902-455-3135 or 1 800 665-9779 (Free legal information, Lawyer Referral, Mediator Referral)
Hours: Monday to Friday, 9:30 am to 5 pm (closed 1-2 pm)

Online Lawyer Directory

Nova Scotia Barristers' Society

The Nova Scotia Barristers’ Society (NSBS) regulates lawyers in Nova Scotia, and has an online directory of all lawyers licensed to practice law in Nova Scotia. You can find a lawyer by name, law firm, or location. The directory also says the year the lawyer was called to the Nova Scotia Bar, and whether the lawyer has any disciplinary history.

Contact
www.nsbs.org. Click on "Lawyer Search"
Telephone: 902-422-1491

Telephone Directories

Lawyers are listed in the telephone book, both online and in print, in alphabetical order as well as under location and the type of law they do.

Your Employee Assistance Program

If you have an Employee Assistance Program (EAP) in your workplace you should contact your EAP to see whether they provide help in finding and/or paying for a lawyer in private practice, or cover a consultation with a lawyer.

Francophone lawyers

Pour obtenir de l’information en français ainsi qu’une liste des juristes d’expression française en Nouvelle Écosse, veuillez communiquer avec le centre Accès Justice Access, un project de l’Association des juristes d’expression française de la Nouvelle-Écosse (AJEFNE). L’AJEFNE est un organisme à but non lucratif fondé en 1994 pour promouvoir l’accès aux services juridiques pour la population acadienne et francophone de la Nouvelle-Écosse.

Contact:
www.ajefne.ns.ca
1663, rue Brunswick / 1663 Brunswick Street, Halifax, Nouvelle-Écosse B3J 3Z6
Téléphone: 902-433-2085 ou 1-844-250-8471

Persons with a disability

If you are a person with a disability ReachAbility may be able to help you find a lawyer through their Legal Referral Service.

Contact:
ReachAbility
Telephone: 902-429-5878 or 1-866-429-5878

Personal recommendation

Trusted service providers at community agencies, or your friends, family members or co-workers may be able to give you suggestions about finding a lawyer in private practice. 

Your union

If you are a member of a union, it is worth speaking with your union to see whether they can offer any help in finding a lawyer, or help with covering the cost of a consultation with a lawyer or legal fees.

How lawyers charge for their work

When you first meet with your lawyer, or soon afterwards if you decide to hire them, your lawyer should give you information about:

  • their legal fees and how they are calculated
  • interest charged if you do not pay your bill on time
  • out-of-pocket expenses (disbursements).

A lawyer must not charge or accept a fee or disbursement, including interest, unless it is fair and reasonable and has been disclosed in a timely fashion. ( Rule 3.6-1 Code of Professional Conduct for NS Lawyers)

Fees are what lawyers charge for their legal services, including their time, expertise and skills.  Fees should be fair and reasonable, and your lawyer should let you know about them in a timely way. What is fair and reasonable will depend on factors like:

  • time and effort needed and spent
  • lawyer’s experience and abilities
  • difficulty and complexity of the issues
  • what is at stake for you (for example, amount of money, importance to you)
  • any estimate or range of fees the lawyer gave you
  • fee arrangement you were told about and agreed to
  • the outcome of the case.

Disbursements are out-of-pocket expenses paid to third parties on the client's behalf, like:

  • couriers, printing, postage
  • long-distance telephone, faxing
  • service of documents (process server)
  • court filing fees
  • government fees
  • medical reports
  • assessments
  • transcripts
  • expert fees.

Do not be afraid to ask questions. You need to have a good, professional working relationship with your lawyer, and that includes being comfortable talking about the expected costs involved, and bills you get.  Lawyers have an obligation to explain the basis of fees and disbursements they charge.

Information from the Nova Scotia Barristers' Society about Lawyers' Fees

 

Tight budget? Ask your lawyer about flexible fee arrangements like flat fees, a contingency fee, or a Limited Scope Retainer.  Legal Info Nova Scotia's Lawyer Referral Service has information about lawyers who consider budget-friendly fee arrangements.

Flat or fixed fee

Lawyers may charge a flat fee for services like:

  • a will, power of attorney, personal directive
  • an uncontested divorce
  • incorporation of a company
  • real estate purchase and sale
  • a first consultation.

The lawyer’s out-of-pocket expenses (disbursements), if any, will generally be extra though. Ask your lawyer for an estimate of those expenses.

Hourly rate

Lawyers usually bill on an hourly basis.  Your lawyer’s time on your case includes things like research, telephone calls, emails, texts, letters, meetings, legal document preparation, discoveries, and court or tribunal appearances. A lawyer’s hourly rate usually depends on the lawyer’s years of experience - newer lawyers are generally less expensive than more experienced lawyers.  The general range is from about $150 to $500 an hour.

Contingency fee

A contingency fee is a percentage of the money the lawyer gets for you if successful. If you win, the lawyer gets the percentage agreed on as the lawyer's fee. 

...a lawyer may enter into a written agreement...that provides that the lawyer’s fee is contingent, in whole or in part, on the outcome of the matter for which the lawyer’s services are to be provided (Rule 3.6-2 Code of Professional Conduct for NS Lawyers)

Lawyers often use a contingency fee agreement in lawsuits where the client cannot pay up front, such as for a personal injury claim.  If you lose the case, you do not pay the lawyer any fee.  However, you may still have to pay the disbursements.

The percentage is open to negotiation between you and your lawyer, but must be fair and reasonable.  The percentage is based on factors like: the likelihood of success, nature and complexity of the claim, expense and risk of going ahead, amount of expected recovery, and who is to get an award of costs.

A contingency fee agreement must be in writing, and must include certain terms and conditions that come from Rule 77.14 of Nova Scotia's Civil Procedure Rules.

Most contingency fee agreements say that if you decide to change lawyers you will usually need to pay the first lawyer for the work they did on your file up to that point.

A contingency fee agreement is a contract with your lawyer.  Read it carefully and be sure you understand its terms before you sign it.  You may want to review the agreement with another lawyer before you sign it.

Retainer

Most lawyers will ask you to pay a retainer fee up front when you hire them, unless you have agreed on a flat fee, contingency fee, or other fee arrangement. A retainer is a lump sum of money provided to a lawyer when you hire them.    The retainer is kept in the lawyer’s trust account, and covers legal fees and other expenses for the legal work. It is also sometimes referred to as a retainer fee.   The amount of the retainer fee varies from lawyer to lawyer, and depends on the case.  The lawyer will do work until the retainer runs out, and ask for a new retainer if more work needs to be done, or until the legal work is done.  After the legal work is done, any balance left after the lawyer's bill is paid would be returned to you.

You may also be asked to sign a retainer agreement, sometimes also called an engagement letter.  A retainer agreement is a contract with your lawyer. 

A retainer agreement establishes the lawyer-client relationship, and may cover things like:

  • how much you can expect to pay (ballpark estimate)
  • fees, disbursements and other costs
  • retainer amount (if applicable)
  • billing format, when bills are due, and interest charged if you do not pay your bill on time
  • scope of the retainer: what you have hired the lawyer to do, and what you have not
  • whether work may be delegated (for example, to a paralegal, articled clerk, associate, administrative support staff)
  • withdrawal, transfer or termination of services
  • how communication will happen (for example, email, phone, letters, etc)
  • confidentiality.

Full Scope Retainer or Limited Scope Retainer?

Full Service/Scope Retainer: The lawyer will provide full representation, dealing with all aspects of the matter from start to finish, to resolve the client's legal problem.

Limited Scope Retainer:  The lawyer provides legal services for part, but not all, of a client’s legal problem, by agreement with the client. This is sometimes also called 'unbundled legal services'.

Examples of a Limited Scope Retainer are where a lawyer:

  • drafts or reviews court documents, like pleadings or a brief, as a 'ghost-writer'
  • only does part of a court process, like questioning a witness (direct or cross-examination), or doing a sentencing hearing
  • advises about whether a client should accept a proposed settlement or transaction, like giving independent legal advice on a proposed separation agreement
  • provides outside court logistical and strategic help to a self-represented litigant, sometimes called 'coaching'.

Representing Yourself?  A Limited Scope Retainer or 'unbundled' legal services may be a good option.  

 

Complaints about a lawyer

Making a complaint about a lawyer

The Nova Scotia Barristers’ Society regulates Nova Scotia lawyers, and handles complaints about lawyers relating to the rules of ethical and professional conduct (Code of Professional Conduct) lawyers must follow, and may discipline a lawyer if they have broken those rules. The Nova Scotia Barristers' Society does not deal with complaints about a lawyer's fees (see Disputes about a lawyer's bill), and does not generally investigate complaints alleging a lawyer was negligent (made a legal mistake).  It is best to contact the Nova Scotia Barristers' Society if you have questions about whether they can help in your situation.

If you feel your lawyer was negligent you will likely need to speak with another lawyer to get a legal opinion about the situation. You can also contact the Lawyers' Insurance Association of Nova Scotia, a not-for-profit company that provides mandatory liability insurance and administers the insurance program for practising insured members of the Nova Scotia Barristers’ Society.

Go to the Nova Scotia Barristers’ Society website at nsbs.org/complaints-process for details about the complaint process, or contact the Barristers’ Society at:
Telephone: (902) 422-1491
Address: Cogswell Tower, 800-2000 Barrington Street, Halifax NS B3J 3K1.

Disputes about a lawyer's bill

The Nova Scotia Barristers’ Society does not deal with disputes about a lawyer’s bill. If you have a dispute with your lawyer about the lawyer’s bill:

1. Speak with or write to your lawyer. Ask for more detailed information about the bill. Ask the lawyer to explain any fees or disbursements (out-of-pocket expenses) you do not understand. If you cannot resolve the dispute directly with the lawyer, see if you can speak with the managing lawyer or executive director of the firm, assuming it is not your lawyer.  If that does not work, you have the option of going to Small Claims Court to have the lawyer’s bill assessed. This assessment of a lawyer's bill is also called a "taxation" of a lawyer's bill.

2. Small Claims Court - Taxation. ‘Taxation’ means a Small Claims Court adjudicator can ‘tax’ or review your lawyer’s bill, including fees and disbursements, to decide whether the bill is reasonable. The taxation process includes looking at whether the percentage fee under a contingency fee agreement is reasonable. 

Contact the Small Claims Court for more information. You will find court contact information at www.courts.ns.ca, or look under ‘Courts’ in the government pages of the telephone book.

Lawyer Referral Service

(Legal Info Nova Scotia's Lawyer Referral Service)

Click here for other ways to find a lawyer in Nova Scotia.

Need a lawyer? Don't know which lawyer to choose?

We may be able to help. Call the Legal Information Society's Lawyer Referral Service at 1-800-665-9779 (toll free) or 902-455-3135 in the Halifax area.

Since 1992, the Legal Information Society of Nova Scotia has operated this key legal resource, and has referred thousands of Nova Scotians to a private lawyer. Lawyer Referral Service members offer an initial consultation of up to 30 minutes for a fee of only $20 plus tax.

Please note that the lawyer is not expected to do legal work for you during the initial 30 minute consultation, just review your legal problem and talk about options you may have to solve your legal problem, and how much it may cost to have the legal work done.

How does the Lawyer Referral Service work?

  • Call the Lawyer Referral Service
  • We will ask you some questions to:
    • find out whether you have a legal problem and whether a lawyer can help you
    • determine what type of legal problem you may have
    • determine whether there are other resources that might help you (for example, Nova Scotia Legal Aid or a community agency), and
    • give you legal information. 
  • Some of the questions may be personal, but we are asking to try to make sure we are making an appropriate referral, and to give you helpful legal information
  • The service is anonymous, and confidential
  • If it is appropriate to provide a lawyer referral, we will do our best to refer you to a private lawyer who does the type of law you need, in your part of the province.  Unfortunately we can't always help or refer you to a lawyer, but if not, we will try to refer you to other resources that might help
  • Referrals are made on a rotation basis, taking area of law and geographic location into account
  • When we provide a lawyer referral, we give you a lawyer's name and telephone number.   It is up to you to contact the lawyer to set up an appointment
  • Make sure you tell the lawyer you were referred by the Legal Information Society's Lawyer Referral Service
  • You can meet with the lawyer for up to 30 minutes for a fee of $20 plus tax. Consultations are generally in the lawyer's office, although it is up to the lawyer.  During this half hour you will discuss your problem with the lawyer and get an idea of what your options are and costs involved.  Do not expect the lawyer to do any legal work for you during the initial consultation. Legal work includes things like giving a legal opinion or advice, reviewing, interpreting, or drafting documents.
  • Prepare for your meeting with the lawyer.  Think about what you want to say - what are the most important points?  Take important documents with you, including any court order(s), contracts, financial information (if relevant), etc., so that you can leave the documents (or copies) with the lawyer if you decide to hire them. Briefly summarize your legal problem.  Keep in mind that 30 minutes goes by very quickly!  See our Guide to a Successful Interview with a Lawyer.
  • If you decide to hire the lawyer after the initial 30 minute consultation, and the lawyer agrees to represent you, you will need to work out a fee arrangement directly with the lawyer. This usually means you will be paying the lawyer's regular fees. Be certain you understand the fee arrangement. See How Lawyers Charge for their work for more information.

I met with the lawyer you referred me to, but it didn't work out. Can I get another referral for the same legal issue?

No. We only give one lawyer referral for the same legal issue, unless there is a conflict of interest.  If the referral we gave you did not work out, click here for information about other ways to find a lawyer and legal help.

Can I get a list of lawyer who are part of the Lawyer Referral Service?

No.  We cannot provide a list of lawyers who are registered with the Lawyer Referral Service.

What information do we have about the lawyers who are part of the Lawyer Referral Service?

We have the following information:

  • areas of law the lawyer does
  • where the lawyer is
  • fee arrangements the lawyer may consider (eg. regular fees, contingency fee agreement, limited scope retainer, flat fees, fee for service)
  • whether the lawyer offers in-office, telephone or email consultations
  • how long the lawyer has practised law
  • whether the lawyer can meet the client where they are instead of at the lawyer's office
  • whether notary public services are offered
  • whether the lawyer is a member of the Bar anywhere other than Nova Scotia
  • whether the lawyer offers service in languages other than English.

How do I use the Lawyer Referral Service?

How do I use the Lawyer Referral Service?

Call the Lawyer Referral Service at:

902-455-3135 (Halifax Regional Municipality) or
1-800-665-9779 (toll free in NS)

When is the Lawyer Referral Service open?

Monday to Friday 9:30  am to 5:00 pm

Closed 1 pm to 2 pm. Closed weekends and holidays.

Please note that unfortunately we cannot accept messages for return phone calls. Calls are answered as they come in to the office.  If you are calling when the service is open and can't get through it means the Legal Information Counsellors are on the phone right now, so please try again soon.

I can't afford a lawyer. Where can I get free legal help?

Lawyer who are part of the Legal Information Society of Nova Scotia's Lawyer Referral Service are not free (pro bono) lawyers.  Lawyer Referral Service members are lawyers in private practice who offer a reduced fee for an initial consultation.

Click here to see a list of free and low cost legal services in Nova Scotia, or call our free Legal Information Line at 902-455-3135 or 1-800-665-9779 for free legal information and referrals to other sources of help.

Finding a Commissioner of Oaths or a Notary Public

Commissioner of Oaths

Commissioners are authorized to take your oath or solemn affirmation when you sign an affidavit (sworn or affirmed document) or statutory declaration. When you sign an affidavit in front of a Commissioner of Oaths you are swearing or affirming that the contents of the document are true. The Commissioner will sign the document as well, and type, print or stamp their name and the words “A Commissioner of the Supreme Court of Nova Scotia”

For information about becoming a Commissioner of Oaths visit the Nova Scotia Department of Justice website at www.gov.ns.ca/just/Legal_Services/commissioner_oaths.asp, or call 902-424-4223.

Finding a Commissioner of Oaths

  • All practising lawyers are Commissioners of Oaths.  The Nova Scotia Barristers' Society has an online lawyer directory at: http://nsbs.org/member-search
  • You can also call the Nova Scotia Department of Justice, Deputy Minister’s office, at 902-424-1182 or 902-424-4223 for the name of a Commissioner of Oaths in your community.

  • You can have some types of documents commissioned at any ACCESS Nova Scotia location in the province, at no cost.  Contact Access Nova Scotia for details

  •  If you are filing documents with the court that need to be commissioned you can have that done at the court. Depending on the court there may be no fee to have court staff commission documents, or there may be a fee. Contact the court for more information.
  • Other people in your community may also be Commissioners, such as:

Finding a Notary (Notary Public)

A Notary can "Notarize" copies of documents. This means verifying that a copy of a document is a true copy of the original. Contact a lawyer if you need the services of a notary.  Legal Info Nova Scotia has information about lawyers who offer notary services, and approximate costs, so please contact us at 1 800 665-9779 or 902-455-3135 or by email if you are having difficulty finding a notary and we will try to help.

Authentication of Canadian documents for use outside Canada

Global Affairs Canada, Authentication Services Section, authenticates Canadian documents for use abroad, including:

  • official Canadian documents, such as birth, marriage or death certificates, educational documents (transcripts, degrees, diplomas), criminal clearance certificates; and
  • documents signed by a Canadian notary public or Commissioner of Oaths.

Global Affairs also issues Statements in lieu of Certificates of Non-Impediment to Marriage Abroad for persons who want to get married outside Canada in a country where such a document is needed. For more information visit international.gc.ca or call 1 800 267-8376.

Guide to a successful interview with a lawyer

This page will help you prepare for a first interview with a lawyer.

Introduction

This guide describes 4 steps to take before you see a lawyer. Before you see your lawyer, try to organize all your important information or documents so you and your lawyer can make the best use of your time together, and focus on the legal parts of your problem.  Click here to download the entire guide in pdf.

This guide provides general information on how to prepare for an appointment with a lawyer. It does not explain the law. Legal advice must come from a lawyer, who can tell you why you should do something in your case or whether you should take certain actions.

Step 1: Fill out the Information Sheet

Fill out the Information Sheet. Click here for an interactive pdf version that you can fill out online and print.
Take the Information Sheet with you to the interview.

If there are other important names and addresses that the lawyer should be aware of, put them in too. If your problem has a file or case number, include that as well.

If possible, print or type your Information Sheet.

Step 2: Prepare your Documents List

Take all letters and documents about your legal problem with you to the interview. If you are in doubt about an item, take it anyway. Next, put the documents in order according to their dates.

Click here for a Document List that you can use to list the documents, including letters you have. For example, include documents:

  • you prepared
  • you got from the court
  • you have been served.

If you have little Post-It notes, put the number of the document on a Post-It note. Attach the Post-It note to each document so that it corresponds to the Document List.

Step 3: Prepare your written statement


Write out your story in point form and in the order of dates and times they happened. This is your written statement. Put in all the facts that you consider important. Be specific about dates and who said what. When you write out your story, it should not be more than two pages. This will force you to focus on the important points.

Take the written statement with you to the interview. It will help refresh your memory when you are talking to the lawyer.

Tell the lawyer if you have difficulty reading or writing.

If you have questions you want to ask the lawyer, write them out and take them with you. Put them in order of importance to you. It’s easy to forget the questions if you don’t write them down. The lawyer will want to know all the details.

The lawyer will want to know:

  • Exact dates, if possible.
  • Who said what to whom – the exact words, not a summary.
  • Who was there during conversations and how long the conversations lasted.

Important: The lawyer needs to know all the details, good and bad, about your case. If you are completely frank, the lawyer will be in the best position to handle your problem and advise you on it.  Your lawyer is not there to judge you, and can't give you good advice without knowing all the facts.

Step 4: Going to the interview

There are four “S’s” to a successful interview with a lawyer:

  • slow,
  • straightforward,
  • specific, and
  • systematic.

1. Slow

People tend to talk too fast in a lawyer interview. This is natural. Many of us are nervous when we have to see a lawyer. We want to tell all.

Think about it this way: hearing your story is like eating dinner.

If the lawyer is eating too fast, he or she won’t be able to digest it properly.

If you tell your story slowly, this gives the lawyer time to digest and understand your story. If you talk slowly, you give the lawyer time to ask questions.

You will avoid missing important facts.

The better prepared you are for the interview, the better advice the lawyer can give you.

2. Straightforward

All of us want to be seen in a good light. When we talk to other people, we usually try to emphasize the favourable things about ourselves. There is nothing wrong with this. It helps us all get along. However, when you’re talking to a lawyer, things are different.

You need to give the lawyer both the good information and the bad information. If you did something wrong, admit it to the lawyer. It will most likely be brought to his/her attention later anyway, by the opposing party.

The lawyer needs to know the good and the bad information at the beginning. That will help the lawyer to give you good advice and save time and possibly money in the long run. Unless the lawyer knows everything, he or she cannot give you good advice.

Here’s a situation that illustrates the point. It’s about a man who was fired for being late for work. He does not want to answer the lawyer’s question.

Q. Were you late for work on March 13, 2015?

A. Late! You should talk to Margo Smith. She is never on time. She gets away with murder.

Q. But on March 13, 2015, were you late?

A. Is it my fault there was a car accident on the Port Mann Bridge? These things happen!

Q. On Mar 13, 2015, were you on time for work? (FIRM VOICE)

A. Don’t you listen? I’ve explained that! (LOUD VOICE)

The lawyer asked the man, “Were you late for work?” But the man did not answer the question. Instead, he gave his excuses for being late. This uses up time at the interview.

A good exchange goes like this:

Q. Were you late for work on March 13, 2015?

A. Yes!

Q. What was the reason?

A. There was a car accident on the Port Mann Bridge. I was stuck in traffic for thirty minutes.

Q. Were you ever late before?

A. No.

Q. Were other people ever fired for lateness?

A. No. Marge Smith was late all the time and she wasn’t fired!

This exchange goes to the heart of the problem.

Always be straightforward. Answer the questions directly. Many of the questions the lawyer will ask require simple answers.

The simple, straightforward answer is best.

3. Specific

We all tend to talk in generalities. For example:

  • This person is good.
  • That movie is terrific!

Generalities are not useful when you are dealing with the law.

Law requires specific information. If you are asked a question such as: “On what date did this happen?” it is best to give the exact date, e.g., March 15, 2015.

If you can’t be specific, be as specific as possible. “It happened the week of March 12, 2015.” Do not summarize conversations. Instead, tell the lawyer, “Mr. Jones said…and then I said…” Repeat the exact words that were said. The more straightforward you are in the interview, the better advice the lawyer can give you.

4. Systematic

When you are telling your story to the lawyer, tell it in chronological order. You cannot tell everything at once. Here is an example of what can go wrong.

A woman is describing to her lawyer how she got fired from her job.

Q. Did Mr. Jones, your boss, call you in his office?

A. Yes.

Q. What did he say?

A. He said Mrs. Smith, please sit down. I sat down. Then he said, “This is difficult, but I’m going to let you go, because of the Atlantic mix-up. Well, I can tell you, I can swear on my mother’s grave, I had nothing to do with the Atlantic mix-up.”

The information in bold type breaks the flow of the story because Mrs. Smith has begun to talk about something new, “the Atlantic mix-up.”

The flow of the story is important. The explanation of “the Atlantic mix-up” can wait until later in the interview. It may also be important, but if the woman gives it here, it is confusing.

  • Keep your story in chronological order. Do not skip about from one time period to another.
  • If you have papers and documents, get them in order before you go to see the lawyer. It is a waste of your time to spend several minutes looking for one letter in a pile of letters.

Quick Summary

Remember

Fill out the Information Sheet and take it with you.

Fill out the Document List and take it with you.

  • Write out your story before you go to the lawyer.
  • If you have questions to ask the lawyer, write them down before you go. That way, you won’t forget them.
  • When you meet with the lawyer, remember to be slow, straightforward, specific and systematic.

This page is adapted, with permission, from Access Pro Bono BC.

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