Mobility & Transfers
Please note that we do not require a paper copy of your application. E-mail your scanned application to the Society’s Education & Credentials Advisor at licensing@nsbs.org.
Transferring from another Canadian Province
A member of a Canadian law society who holds a degree in Common law from a Canadian university (or equivalent as certified by the National Committee on Accreditation) may apply for transfer to the Nova Scotia Barristers’ Society.
These applicants either qualify for admission on transfer under the National Mobility Agreement (NMA) or Territorial Mobility Agreement (TMA) and Regulation 6.2.2, or do not qualify under the NMA or TMA and Regulation 6.2.2.
Applicants who Qualify for Admission on Transfer under the NMA or TMA
Transfers from Quebec – Canadian Legal Advisors (CLAs)
Québec lawyers may qualify to practise in Nova Scotia as Canadian Legal Advisors (CLAs) under the following conditions:
- must be a member in good standing of the Barreau du Québec;
- must be authorized to practise law in Québec;
- must maintain the full, mandatory, professional liability insurance coverage required by the Barreau that extends to practice in Nova Scotia;
- must have earned a bachelor’s degree in civil law in Canada or a foreign degree and a certifi cate of equivalency from the Barreau.
These applicants must meet the criteria for transfer under the NMA or TMA and the Society’s Regulations. In summary, the applicant must be a practising and insured member of the home jurisdiction and be in good standing (for example, the applicant cannot have a discipline record, open complaint, practice restriction, etc.).
Applicants must complete an Application for Admission on Transfer and provide all referenced documentation and fees. An application must be submitted to the Barristers’ Society at least six weeks prior to the anticipated Bar Admission date. Bar Admission dates are posted on the Society’s website. In order to be considered, an application must be complete – all supporting materials received and application fee paid.
Domestic transfer applicants from reciprocating jurisdictions under Canada’s Free Trade and Mobility Agreement should submit the following application: Application for Admission on Domestic Reciprocated Transfer. Reciprocating jurisdictions include Alberta, British Columbia, Manitoba, Ontario, and Prince Edward Island.
We strive to process complete applications with no public interest issues within two weeks. Timelines may be extended during periods of high application volume, particularly from April 1 to July 15. See Policy on Timelines. Applications with character or fitness issues must be referred to the Credentials Committee.
Applicants who qualify under the NMA or TMA are not required to complete the Bar Admission Program although other conditions may apply. Generally, applicants who do not qualify under the NMA or TMA must, at a minimum, successfully complete the Bar Admission Program. For applicants with little practice experience or who have been absent from active practice in Canada for some time, other conditions may be imposed, such as a period of supervision. Review the Policy on Applications for Transfer from Another Canadian Jurisdiction.
Note: A transfer applicant cannot practise law in Nova Scotia until the applicant is called to the Bar in Nova Scotia or has been granted a special permit pending the applicant’s call to the Nova Scotia Bar, pursuant to Regulation 6.3.4(b).
To be granted a permit, the applicant must qualify under the NMA or TMA, have a confirmed job offer in Nova Scotia, and have submitted a Transfer Application. The Society must also have received a Certificate of Standing from the applicant’s home jurisdiction. The permit application is included in the Application for Admission on Transfer.
Please note: The scope of a CLA’s practice is limited to giving legal advice on the law of Québec and matters involving the law of Québec, matters under federal jurisdiction and matters involving public international law.
You must complete the Application for Admission as a Canadian Legal Advisor to be considered for admission.
To learn more, please review the Policy on Canadian Legal Advisors.
Transferring to Nova Scotia from outside Canada
Applicants with a law degree from outside of Canada who have been admitted as a lawyer in their home jurisdictions may seek admission to the Nova Scotia Bar via an application for admission on Transfer. These individuals have earned their law degrees and were admitted/called to a foreign Bar. They may or may not have practised law in the country where they were admitted/called. They must be lawfully entitled to be employed in Canada.
Review the guide for applicants with a law degree from outside Canada.
Individuals who hold a law degree from outside of Canada but have not been admitted in any jurisdiction must apply as an articled clerk.
Review the Pathway for Internationally Trained Lawyers.
Steps required to be called to the Bar in Nova Scotia – for applicants with a foreign law degree who are admitted:
- Apply to the National Committee on Accreditation (NCA) to have the lawyer’s law degree and credentials assessed. Commence this process before immigrating to Canada as it will take time. Note: Nova Scotia, as a province of Canada, is a Common Law jurisdiction. Therefore, the NCA criteria are generally greater for lawyers with civil law degrees and who practise in a country with a Civil Code than they are for lawyers with a non-Canadian common law degree.
- NCA issues a Certificate of Qualification.
- Submit an Application for Admission on Transfer to the Nova Scotia Barristers’ Society. Applications and all supporting documentation can be sent via email to licensing@nsbs.org. Please allow 2 business days after submitting your application before contacting us to process the application fee.
- The application is considered by the Executive Director. Processing times vary but can take at least 6 weeks during periods of high application volume.
- The application is approved.
- The applicant completes the necessary requirements set by the Executive Director. This could include all or parts of our Bar Admission Program, which includes the Society’s Cultural Competence Workshop and the Practice Readiness Education Program (PREP) offered through the Canadian Centre for Professional Legal Education (CPLED). See the Society’s FAQs for Internationally Trained Lawyers for more details on conditions.
- Upon successful completion of the conditions set by the Executive Director or the Credentials Committee (as per #6 above), the lawyer is eligible for admission to the Nova Scotia Barristers’ Society. Review the Society’s Guide for New Lawyers.
Questions?
Please review the Guide for New Lawyers. Email Education & Credentials at licensing@nsbs.org if you have any questions.