Representing yourself videos and audio info

Videos to help you with Small Claims Court 

These short videos help you with starting a claim and preparing a defence, knowing what evidence to gather and present, tips for being as prepared as possible, and what to do after you receive a judgement.  Using the Small Claims Court App, and watching these videos, you will be well prepared to navigate the small claims court process.

More Information

A litigation lawyer provides helpful hints for people representing themselves at court in this  pdf Self Advocacy Guide - Edition 1(1.07 MB)

 Here is a series of longer videos that further explain the Self-Advocacy Guide.

 We have lots of other resources for Representing Yourself, including our Small Claims Court App.

Small Claims Court Representing Yourself Videos – a comprehensive guide from our Public Navigator Training

1. Introduction and Disclaimer
2. Introduction to Advocacy
3. The Theory of the Case
4. Being Persuasive
5. Settlement
6. Procedure: Role of the Judge (or Adjudicator) and Discoveries
7. Procedure: Judgment and Costs
8. Procedure: Pleadings and Adjudication
9. Procedure: Conclusion
10. Evidence: Show Your Story
11. Evidence: Types of Evidence, and Introducing Evidence
12. Evidence: Admissibility, Privilege, and Hearsay
13. The Hearing: The Room and Witnesses
14. The Hearing: Questioning witnesses
15. The Hearing: Objections
16. The Hearing: Types of Questions and Objections
17. The Hearing: Argument
18. Nuts and Bolts
19. Conclusion

1. Intro and Disclaimer

2. Introduction to Advocacy

3. The Theory of the case

4. Being persuasive

5. Settlement

6. Procedure: Role of the Judge or Adjudicator, and Discoveries

7. Procedure: Judgment and Costs

8. Procedure: Pleadings and Adjudication

9. Procedure: Conclusion

10. Evidence: Show your story

11. Evidence: Types of Evidence, and Introducing Evidence

12. Evidence: Admissibility, Privilege and Hearsay

13. The Hearing: The Room and Witnesses

14. The Hearing: Questioning Witnesses

15. The Hearing: Objections

16. The Hearing: Types of Questions and Objections

17. The Hearing: Argument

18. Nuts and Bolts

19. Conclusion

Table of Contents

1. Overview
2. Options before a lawsuit
3. Considerations before action
4. Options for defence
5. Considerations for defendants
6. What is mediation?
7. Notices
8. Pleadings
9. Lawyers

1. Overview

• Introduction to the videos
• Difference between legal information and legal advice
• Additional helping resources

2. Options before a lawsuit

3. Considerations before action

4. Options for defence

5. Considerations for defenders

6. What is mediation and who may consider it?

• Who might consider mediation
• Existing resources in NS

7. Filing Notices

• The purpose of notice
• The rules defining notices
• The difference between a Notice of Action and a Notice of Defence

8. Pleadings

• What are pleadings
• The rules
• Strategies

9. Lawyers and you

• What is a contingency fee agreement
• What are unbundled services

For further information about this project please contact [email protected] or (902) 454-2198 (administration only, not for legal information)

Child protection matters are very serious.  It is essential that you get legal advice.  Contact Nova Scotia Legal Aid or a lawyer in private practice to get help.

If your children have been taken into protective custody, this is a difficult time for you and your family. These videos and the information booklet can answer many of your questions. With the help of a lawyer, and the right attitude, you can work towards getting your children back, or to keeping them in your home if being supervised by the agency. Watch all seven chapters in order. Later, you can watch the chapter that’s about the next step you’re about to take in the court process.

View the videos in English.

View the videos in Mi’kmaq.

Read the information booklet:

In English: What you need to know when Child Protection takes your children into care

In French: Ce que vous devez savoir lorsque les Services de protection de l'enfance prennent en charge vos enfants

In Mi'kmaq: Ta'n nuta'q +kjijitun ta'n tujiw lkalkewaq wesua'la'tiji kinijink anko'tasinu

This video and the booklet will answer some of your questions:

• What has happened?
• Where are your children?
• When can you see them?
• What can you do to make sure your family stays together?

Important:
• This video is for adults.
• Do not watch it with your children.
• Watch it with your lawyer, a social worker, or a support person.
• Ask questions and get help as you go through the child protection process.

Go to nsfamilylaw.ca for more information about Child Protection.

The video was produced with the collaboration of the Nova Scotia Supreme Court Family Division, Executive Office of the Nova Scotia Judiciary, Nova Scotia Legal Aid, Nova Scotia Department of Community Services, Nova Scotia Department of Justice, with funding from The Law Foundation of Ontario. While financially supported by The Law Foundation of Ontario, the views expressed in this video production do not necessarily reflect the views of The Foundation.