*New* The NSBS has upgraded its database and member login system to enhance functionality for our members. If you have any difficulty submitting the online form, please contact licensing@nsbs.org.
Changing Your Category from Practising
Members in good standing may apply to hold a non-practising status (non-practising, retired, or life membership).
Status as a Non-Practising Member
As a non-practising member, you agree to not engage in the practice of law as defined in section 16 (1) of the Legal Profession Act. When changing to a non-practicing status, please make suitable arrangements for:
- all applicable client matters;
- trust account obligations; and
- outstanding claims or complaints.
Non-practising and retired lawyers can continue to notarize documents and swear affidavits. Generally, your notary commission and your ability to take an oath as a lawyer do not expire unless you resign or are disbarred. Learn more about the notary public process.
*(see Schedule A for non-practising fees).
As a retired member, you agree to not engage in the practice of law as defined in section 16 (1) of the Legal Profession Act and can confirm that you no longer earn employment income.
*(see Schedule A for retired fees).
*Life member is a person who has been a member for at least 50 years, is no longer engaged in the practice of law and is exempted from the payment of fees to the Society.
Resigning from the Society
A practising lawyer may apply to resign from the Society, however, the Society’s Council must approve resignation applications. Resignation is withdrawal from membership in the Society. This means that you need to be re-admitted to the Nova Scotia Bar should you wish to return to practice law. This can often be a lengthy process with additional associated costs.
You can find additional resources and supports related to closing your practice and succession planning on the Practice Resource page of our website.
You can access the application to change your membership category from practising (to non-practising, retired, resigned, or life membership) through the Society’s Member Sign In:
- Sign in to your Member profile at members.nsbs.org by entering your username and password.
- Find the application for change category from practising in the drop-down menu under ‘Applications’ in the navigation menu.
- Click on change of category from practising – this will take you to a page where you can select the application accordingly.
- Complete the application.
*Please note that the online form will not work with MAC operating systems (iPhones, iPads).
Changing a Category to Practising
Non-practising members may apply to be reinstated to the Practising Lawyer membership category. Review Regulation 5.6 and the Policy Relating to Change of Membership Category to Practising Lawyer.
You can access the application to change your membership category from non-practising, retired, or life membership (to practising) through the Society’s Member Sign In:
- Sign in to your Member profile at members.nsbs.org by entering your username and password.
- Find the application for change category to practising in the drop-down menu under ‘Applications’ in the navigation menu.
- Click on change of category to practising – this will take you to a page where you can select the application accordingly.
- Complete the application.
*Please note that the online form will not work with MAC operating systems (iPhones, iPads).
Submit the application, supporting materials and the fee well in advance of your effective category change date. This provides an opportunity to address any issues with an application in advance of the reinstatement date.
Reinstatement After Appointment to Judicial Office
A person who has been appointed to a judicial office, but is no longer in that office, may apply to the Society to be reinstated to any category of membership except an articled clerk (pursuant to Regulation 5.4). Review the policy.
Policy on Timelines
Your application will be processed and the Education & Credentials staff issue a ruling unless there are character or fitness issues. We refer all applications with character or fitness issues to the Credentials Committee.
We strive to process complete applications with no public interest issues within two weeks. We may extend timelines during periods of high application volume, particularly from April 1 to July 15. Review our policy on timelines.