Responsibilities & Requirements

Our mandate, outlined in the Legal Profession Act, is to uphold and protect the public interest in the practice of law. The Society’s Regulations set out the specific responsibilities and standards all lawyers are required to meet and the Code of Professional Conduct creates the standards of conduct for Nova Scotia lawyers.

Legal Profession Act (LPA)

The Society governed by the Legal Profession Act (LPA). Our mandate, set out in Section 4 of the Act, is to uphold and protect the public interest in the practice of law.

Read the LPA Legal Profession Act (LPA)

NSBS Regulations

The Regulations, made pursuant to the Legal Profession Act, set out the specific responsibilities and standards all lawyers are required to meet. These Regulations govern all aspects of the regulatory process including admission standards, administrative obligations of lawyers and law firms, requirements for the operation of trust accounts, complaint and hearing processes and more.

Read the Regulations NSBS Regulations

Code of Professional Conduct

Nova Scotia’s lawyers are expected to conduct themselves and their law practices ethically. The Code of Professional Conduct creates the standards of conduct for Nova Scotia lawyers.

Read the Code of Professional Conduct Code of Professional Conduct

Practice Standards & Guidelines

Family Law Standards, Real Estate Standards, Law Office Management Standards and Criminal Law Standards.

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Trust Accounts

Information on opening a trust account, closing a trust account, annual reporting requirements, audits, undistributed trust funds and trust account and client ledger shortages.

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Trust Account Regulations FAQs

Frequently asked questions related to trust account regulations.

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Anti-Money Laundering (Client ID)

The Society has set guidelines and processes that assist lawyers to ensure that they are not facilitating or otherwise assisting anyone to commit an illegal act, including money laundering and terrorist financing.

Learn More Anti-Money Laundering (Client ID)

Professional Development

We encourage and require a culture of continual learning within Nova Scotia’s legal profession. Find CPD resources, information about the LRA Training Program, CPD FAQs and more.

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Creating a CPD Plan

Find information on creating a CPD plan, assessing your CPD plan, planning templates and more.

Learn More Creating a CPD Plan

Duty to Report

The Society’s right to self-govern requires transparency and accountability, and an effective means to regulate lawyers and the practice of law in the public interest. This requires vigilance not only on the part of the Society, but also by lawyers themselves.

Learn More Duty to Report