The Family Court for the Province of Nova Scotia Overvi ew The Family Court

he Family Court deals with Services at the Family Court Do I need a lawyer? • referrals to mediation services We strongly recommend that you have many family law matters in T • parent information sessions— a lawyer to represent you in your case available in Pictou/New Glasgow, at the Family Court. If you cannot the Antigonish, Pictou/New Glasgow, Antigonish, Amherst, Kentville, afford a lawyer, you can apply for and Bridgewater, and Truro may be able to get help from your Truro, Amherst, Kentville, local legal aid office. You can also • information about court procedures obtain free legal information from and processes the Legal Information Society of Nova Bridgewater, and Yarmouth/Digby Scotia (see your telephone directory). Your first contact with the Family Court Justice Centre areas. will likely be by telephone or with the You should get legal advice at each counter staff at the court. They will stage of the process. The Court and its services give people provide you with the forms which you need to complete for your application and make an appointment for you to the opportunity to resolve family What family conflicts does the see an intake officer. The intake officer helps determine which programs or Court deal with? conflicts—in or out of the courtroom. services will address your situation. The Family Court has the authority to The court will require the applicant and deal with the law in these statutes: respondent to exchange appropriate Young Persons’ Summary information to properly address the • Proceedings Act issues that have been identified. • Children and Family Services Act • Maintenance and Custody Act • Maintenance Enforcement Act • Interjurisdictional Support Orders Act • Reciprocal Enforcement of Custody Orders Act Pictou/New Glasgow Adult Protection Act Where can I get more information? 69 Water Street • For more information about representing Criminal Code of Canada, Sections Pictou , NS B0K 1H0 • yourself in court visit the Department Phone: 485-7025 264.1, 265, 810 and 811 which deal of Justice website at Fax: 485-8934 with threats and common assaults . For more involving husband and wife or information about the courts of Nova Truro parent and child, and peace bonds 540 Prince Street Scotia go to . Truro, NS B2N 1G1 • The Solemnization of Marriage Act Phone: 893-5840 relating to the performance of mar - Locations Fax: 893-6261 riage and applications from persons You will find the Family Courts in the under the age of 16 who desire following locations: Yarmouth/Digby 164 Main Street permission to marry Amherst Yarmouth, NS B5A 1C2 16 Church Street Phone: 742-0500 Family Court judges are also appointed 3rd Floor Fax: 742-0678 as judges of Youth Court, and deal with Amherst, NS B4H 3A6 offences under the federal Youth Phone: 667-2256 Fax: 667-1108 Some justice centres have satellite Criminal Justice Act. courts in other locations in their area. Antigonish A considerable amount of family law is For example, the Truro Justice Centre 11 James Street also contained in written decisions of Antigonish, NS B2G 1R6 has a satellite court in Shubenacadie. judges, known as “case law.” Phone: 863-7312 Kentville Justice Centre has satellite Fax: 863-7479 courts in Annapolis Royal and What family conflicts doesn’t Windsor. Consult your justice centre Bridgewater if you have questions about where to the Court deal with? 141 High Street Bridgewater, NS B4V 1W2 attend the Family Court for appoint - Family Court does not deal with adop - Phone: 543-4679 ments with court officers and hearings. tions, divorces, or disputes concerning Fax: 543-0678 family property or estates. These Kentville disputes are taken to the Supreme 136 Exhibition Street Court of Nova Scotia. Applications for Kentville, NS B4N 4E5 changes to orders made under the Phone: 679-6075 Divorce Act, called divorce variations, Fax: 679-6081 are normally taken to the Supreme Court.

Prepared by Court Services Division of Department of Justice, Nova Scotia June 2010