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On November 24, 2023, the Supreme Court of British Columbia granted an injunction suspending the application of the expanded mandatory reporting obligations in the Income Tax Act to members of the legal profession, pending the outcome of the Federation’s challenge to the constitutionality of those provisions.
The NSBS offers an online form whereby members of the public may provide details relating to a recently deceased family member’s will — should they be unable to locate it.
We are pleased to provide an update to our October 26, 2023 notice regarding the end of the pandemic relief measures that permitted client verification by viewing government issued ID over a video call. The pandemic-era video verification method presented a high risk of identification fraud. It should have been used only when a better option was not available, and it should not be used in future.
This update deals with three matters: 1) a new deadline for the removal of pandemic measures; 2)Â a review of existing options used to verify ID, remotely and otherwise; and 3)Â technology options designed to verify ID remotely, which are helpful even in-person.
When we consider access to justice, it is easy to think of it as only a conceptual principle. In reality, physical barriers can frequently present barriers that make Courts, offices, and other places that facilitate justice inaccessible. As part of our work in the Equity and Access Office, identifying what physical barriers exist and working towards resolution is a crucial element of our work.Â
The Federation of Law Societies has issued guidance requiring the use of a technology product capable of verifying the authenticity of the government-issued photo ID when the verification is happening remotely.
To allow for the implementation of the technology required to facilitate this process, the temporary pandemic relief measure of allowing verification by viewing a government-issued identity document with the person over a video call will be extended until January 31, 2024. After this date NSBS members must return to in-person verification of Client ID or adopt remote ID authentication technology conforming to the Federation guidance.
Part of Access to Justice in Nova Scotia is ensuring that people have access to legal services and lawyers that reflect the demographics of our province. At the Nova Scotia Barristers’ Society, we create a culturally competent Bar by working with internationally trained lawyers who are eager to join the profession in Nova Scotia and help meet the demand of the public’s need for legal services.
When a lawyer from a jurisdiction outside of Canada is looking to join the Nova Scotia Bar, the Society sees this as an opportunity to improve access to justice. Internationally trained lawyers not only increases the supply of lawyers in this province, but they bring their own cultural and lived experiences, helping to build a profession that is in step with the province’s diversity.
