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outcomes of ongoing projects such as the following:
• piloting sexual assault information workshops for lawyers this
fall;
• reviewing the Society’s Skills Course curriculum to reflect A2J
values;
• increasing innovation in legal service delivery across Nova Scotia;
• creating new education programs for lawyers to work with selfrepresented
litigants (SLRs), and assisting in the development of
legal information resources to assist SLRs;
• supporting the efforts of a working group tackling issues of
Aboriginal child welfare issues in Nova Scotia;
• supporting research of North/East Preston communities that
addresses land title issues;
• hosting the UnCommon Law 5 conference in the Annapolis
Valley, to explore justice barriers and legal advocacy for Nova
Scotians who have substance use and mental health issues;
• undertaking comprehensive community consultation and
engagement in accordance with Section 4(1)(d)(i) of the Legal
Profession Act; and
• reviewing the Regulations under the LPA to identify and remove
obstacles to A2J, and enhance opportunities to improve access to
legal services and justice for all Nova Scotians.
For more details and continuing updates on the Society’s Access to Justice
Action Plan, visit nsbs.org/improving_justice.
PROJECT SPOTLIGHTS
UnCommon Law 5
The theme for the fifth UnCommon Law program is Mental
Wellness: A Community Approach to Access to Justice.
Offered by the Society across the province – this year in
the Annapolis Valley on November 6 – these forums bring together
lawyers, judges and community members to speak, listen and learn
from each other.
This year’s topic was a very timely one, says M. Ingrid Brodie, Chief
Crown Attorney, Western Region
“In the Annapolis Valley, dedicated committees have worked hard
to launch pilots of court-monitored programs for mental health and
drug treatment to Kentville Provincial Court starting in May 2014,”
says Brodie. “Partnerships across the justice system and among health
professionals have been instrumental in developing and running both
programs bringing new access to justice approaches to rural Nova
Scotia.”
This year’s event had a three-fold purpose:
Access to justice: People with substance and/or mental health
challenges may find themselves involved in the legal system and are
often underserved, lack basic understanding of the process, and have
little to no agency. To address these issues, the conference explored
the question, “How do we build effective legal advocacy for people
who have substance and/or mental health challenges in Nova Scotia?”
Education: To provide education to lawyers in the Valley whose
clients have substance and/or mental health challenges, or who are
often involved in litigation involving people at risk. The event also
educates individuals, families, organizations and communities about
their rights in our legal system.
Engagement: UnCommon Law provides opportunities for Nova
Scotians to shift their perspectives about lawyers and the legal system,
Above: M. Ingrid Brodie, Chief Crown Attorney, Western Region
and to engage in a positive way with legal professionals.
Previous UnCommon Law events were held in Halifax, Yarmouth,
Sydney and Dartmouth on themes ranging from youth and the law
to the complexity of legal issues for women.
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