Supreme Court
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General
If you live outside of Halifax Regional Municipality or Cape Breton, you will go to the Supreme Court if:
- you are married and dealing with
- Divorce Act
- Matrimonial Property Act
- division of pension under the Pension Benefits Act (Nova Scotia), Pension Benefits Standards Act (Canada), or some other pension legislation
- annulment
- you are common law and dealing with
- division of property
- division of pension under the Pension Benefits Act (Nova Scotia), Pension Benefits Standards Act (Canada), or some other pension legislation
- you are registered domestic partners and dealing with
- Matrimonial Property Act
- division of pension under the Pension Benefits Act (Nova Scotia) or some other pension legislation
- you are divorced and dealing with
- Divorce Act
There may be other circumstances in which you go to Supreme Court. We recommend you get independent legal advice.
Regardless of where you live in Nova Scotia, you will not use the Supreme Court if:
- you have never lived together and are unmarried
- you are a grandparent or another person who wants the court to make an order about custody, access, or child support
For information about the Family Court, click here. For information about the Supreme Court (Family Division), click here.
Programs
Parent Information Program
What is the Parent Information Program?
PIP is a voluntary program if children are the subject of a court case. You will be scheduled to attend two two-hour sessions or one three-hour session at the court.
PIP offers you information about:
- the legal process
- the best ways to support your children during this time
- the best ways to keep your children from getting caught in the middle
The goals of the Parent Information Program are:
- to increase your awareness of the impact of parental conflict on children
- to improve communications between you and the other party about your children's needs
- to offer new ways to avoid placing children in the middle of issues between you and the other party
Can I attend a session?
A court staff member will tell you where and when you are scheduled to attend. Attempts may be made to accommodate work and family commitments. You will not have to attend the same session as your ex-partner.
Parenting Assessments
What is a Parenting Assessment?
A Supreme Court judge may order a parenting assessment. The main purpose of an assessment is to help the judge decide how the needs of the child may best be met.
The judge can specify what kind of assessment is to be done, including:
- a parental capacity assessment of one or both parents
- a psychological/psychiatric assessment of one or both parents
- a psychological/psychiatric assessment of a child
- the child's wishes and reasons for those wishes
- the parenting arrangements that best meet the child's needs
If an assessment is ordered by a judge, it is mandatory. If one party is not cooperating, the assessor will report this to the judge.
If you are involved in a custody or access dispute and believe an assessment of your child would help the court understand your family circumstances, you may speak to a court officer or your lawyer about seeking an assessment. The judge will decide if the court needs an assessment to make a determination in your case. If the judge doesn't order an assessment, the parties can still agree to have an assessment done.
If your situation is resolved before the assessment is complete, advise the assessor and the court as soon as possible.
Who does the assessment?
A parenting assessment is done by a professional, usually a social worker or psychologist with expertise in the area of children, custody, and access. The assessor meets with both parents, and may also meet with the child, grandparents, childcare providers, teachers, and so forth, if appropriate.
What is my child's role in an assessment?
Your child may need to be interviewed by the assessor. It will depend on your child's age and the issues the judge wants addressed. As the assessor needs to meet with your child in a confidential setting, you cannot attend the interview. The assessor will discuss this with you beforehand.
What if I disagree with what the assessor says or recommends?
You, or your lawyer if you have one, will have the chance to address this during court proceedings.
Is there a fee?
Yes. An assessment may cost $2,000 to $5,000 to prepare, but you may not have to pay the whole cost. We use a fee schedule. The amount you pay is based on your gross income. Refer to the court ordered reports fee information on the courts website.