BILL NO. 361
(as introduced)
1st Session, 64th General Assembly
Nova Scotia
2 Charles III, 2023
Private Member's Bill
Provincial Court Act
(amended)
Elizabeth Smith-McCrossin
Cumberland North
First Reading: October 20, 2023
Second Reading:
Third Reading:
Explanatory Note
This Bill provides
(a) that the Chief Judge of the Provincial Court of Nova Scotia shall establish education courses for judges of the Court respecting sexual assault law, intimate partner violence, coercive control in intimate partner and family relationships and social context;
(b) that the Chief Judge may consult with appropriate persons, groups and organizations in establishing courses; and
(c) reporting requirements respecting the courses.
An Act to Amend Chapter 238
of the Revised Statutes, 1989,
the Provincial Court Act
Be it enacted by the Governor and Assembly as follows:
1 Chapter 238 of the Revised Statutes, 1989, the Provincial Court Act, is amended by adding immediately after Section 15 the following Section:
- 15A (1) The Chief Judge shall establish courses for newly appointed judges and for the continuing education of judges, which may include courses respecting
(b) intimate partner violence;
(c) coercive control in intimate partner and family relationships; and
(d) social context, which includes systemic racism and systemic discrimination.
(2) The Chief Judge may, in establishing courses under subsection (1), consult with such persons, groups and organizations as the Chief Judge considers appropriate, which may include survivors of sexual assault, survivors of intimate partner violence and persons, groups and organizations that support these survivors, including Indigenous leaders and representatives of Indigenous communities.
(3) No later than the thirty-first day of March in each year, the Chief Judge shall submit to the Attorney General a report outlining
(a) the title, duration and dates of each course established under subsection (1) that was offered to judges during the previous year;
(b) a description of the topics covered in each course; and
(c) the number of judges who attended each course.
(4) The Attorney General shall table the report referred to in subsection (3) in the House of Assembly no later than the thirty-first day of April in each year and, where the House is not then sitting, file it with the Clerk of the House.
This page and its contents published by the Office of the Legislative Counsel, Nova Scotia House of Assembly, and © 2023 Crown in right of Nova Scotia. Created October 20, 2023. Send comments to legc.office@novascotia.ca.
