Legal Services

The Legal Services Division is the government's law firm, providing a full range of legal advice and services to support government operations and help government achieve its corporate priorities.

With a staff of more than 150 lawyers, paralegals, researchers and administrative professionals, the Division is one of the largest law offices in the Province.

The Division is skilled in:

  • administrative law
  • negotiation and drafting of agreements,
  • commercial transactions,
  • corporate governance,
  • property transactions
  • the development of legislation and regulations to implement the public policy goals of government
  • support in employment and labour matters, and
  • day to day advice on routine legal matters.

The Division also represents government in all legal proceedings, except prosecutions. This includes formal litigation on behalf of the Crown before all levels of courts in the Province, the Federal Courts and the Supreme Court of Canada. Typical cases brought before these courts include:

  • judicial review applications
  • statutory appeals,
  • contractual disputes
  • constitutional issues,
  • class actions,
  • child and adult protection proceedings and.
  • other claims made by or against government.

The Division also represents government before administrative bodies and tribunals, and in arbitrations and mediations. We assist government departments and agencies navigate the procedural and substantive aspects of these proceedings and help them resolve disputes.

Legal Services is also home to the Registry of Regulations, which is responsible for filing, consolidating and publishing Nova Scotia regulations. The Registry is responsible for the publication of the Royal Gazette Part 1 and Part II. The Registry reviews all draft regulations to ensure the regulations meet the required plain language standards, and to ensure that the regulations are consistent in form, style and content with current legislation and regulations.