Amendments to Justices of Peace Act Introduced

Legislation introduced today, March 8, will align the pay review process of presiding justices of the peace with provincial and family court judges.

Proposed amendments to the Justices of the Peace Act will allow the province to accept, vary or reject pay recommendations for presiding justices of the peace by an independent commission. Those recommendations are currently binding on government.

“Nova Scotia’s presiding justices of the peace are experienced lawyers who play an important role in the justice system,” said Attorney General and Justice Minister Mark Furey. “They perform some of the same functions as judges and so it is important that the process in place to determine their compensation aligns with the process in place for provincially appointed judges.”

Nova Scotia’s ten presiding justices of the peace approve search warrants, hear after-hours judicial interim release matters and take emergency protection order applications in domestic violence situations, as well as hear peace bond applications. They also preside over motor vehicle offences and summary offence tickets.