Supreme Court of Nova Scotia

Latest decisions

1. August 5, 2026
   R. v. McLaughlin, 2026 NSSC 260Distribution of cannabis; Breach of trust by public officer, Pictou. Justice Bryna D. Hatt
   3 years custody on each charge, concurrent
2. August 4, 2026
   R. v. Julian, 2026 NSSC 261Manslaughter, Antigonish. Justice Jeffrey R. Hunt

   • Below the Crown's ask
   • On release at the time
   7 years in custody, less 1364 days' credit for remand (1191 days remaining)
3. July 31, 2026
   R. v. A.M., 2026 NSSC 262Sexual assault, Sydney. Justice D. Shane Russell

   • Below the Crown's ask
   4 years in custody (2 years consecutive on each of 2 counts), less 1,412 days remand credit; 49 days remaining
4. July 29, 2026
   R. v. McGrath, 2026 NSSC 265Refusal to provide a sample after an accident causing death, Pictou. Justice Frank P. Hoskins

   • Below the Crown's ask
   4 years' imprisonment on each count, concurrent, then a 4-year driving prohibition
5. June 26, 2026
   R. v. Urquhart, 2026 NSSC 218Aggravated assault, Shelburne. Justice Joshua M. Arnold
   4 years imprisonment less 1,167 days remand credit (293 days remaining), then 2 years probation
6. June 16, 2026
   R. v. L.L., 2026 NSSC 205Sexual exploitation of a young person, Truro. Justice Jeffrey R. Hunt
   4 years federal custody
7. May 21, 2026
   R. v. MacDougall, 2026 NSSC 169Possession of a firearm knowing its possession is unauthorized; Fraud over $5,000; Fraud $5,000 or under; Identity theft; Use, trafficking or possession of forged document; Identity fraud (personation); Forgery, Halifax. Justice James L. Chipman

   • Below the Crown's ask
   4.5 years (54 months) global custody across 19 counts, less 558.5 days enhanced remand credit
8. May 19, 2026
   R v. Hatfield, 2026 NSSC 190Sexual interference, Halifax. Justice Denise M. Boudreau

   • Below the Crown's ask
   • On release at the time
   9 years (5 years and 4 years consecutive), less 423 days remand credit
9. May 8, 2026
   R. v. Z.A., 2026 NSSC 163Sexual interference; Forcible confinement; Incest; Exposure to a person under 16, Port Hawkesbury. Justice D. Shane Russell

   • Below the Crown's ask
   8 years in a federal penitentiary (10 years for incest reduced to 8 for totality; other counts concurrent)
10. May 8, 2026
    R. v. Cox, 2026 NSSC 153Accessory after the fact to murder, Dartmouth. Justice James L. Chipman
    2 years imprisonment going forward (after 59 days remand credit), then 2 years probation
11. May 1, 2026
    R. v. Caines, 2026 NSSC 146Manslaughter, Sydney. Justice Patrick J. Duncan
    2 years imprisonment
12. May 1, 2026
    R. v. MacDonald, 2026 NSSC 126Manslaughter, Glace Bay. Justice Patrick J. Duncan
    9 years in custody, less 1,526 days credit for remand
13. April 24, 2026
    R. v. Levy, 2026 NSSC 129Manslaughter, Halifax. Justice James L. Chipman

    • Below the Crown's ask
    4 years custody for manslaughter; criminal negligence causing death conditionally stayed
14. April 20, 2026
    R. v. M.R.S., 2026 NSSC 199First degree murder, Yarmouth. Justice Pierre L. Muise
    Life imprisonment, no parole for 25 years (first degree murder)

    Life sentence
15. April 17, 2026
    R. v. D.D.S., 2026 NSSC 149Assault by choking, suffocating or strangling; Aggravated assault; Uttering threats to cause death or bodily harm; Forcible confinement; Pointing a firearm; Reckless discharge of a firearm, Yarmouth. Justice Pierre L. Muise

    • Below the Crown's ask
    8 years in custody (reduced from 11 for totality), less 1,232 days of remand credit, leaving 1,688 days

All 146 cases from this court

Judges

• The Honourable Justice Joshua M. Arnold19 tracked, 3 flagged
• The Honourable Justice Jamie S. Campbell14 tracked, 1 flagged
• The Honourable Justice Pierre L. Muise11 tracked, 6 flagged
• The Honourable Justice Diane Rowe10 tracked, 5 flagged
• The Honourable Justice James L. Chipman10 tracked, 5 flagged
• The Honourable Justice Patrick J. Duncan10 tracked, 5 flagged
• The Honourable Justice Christa M. Brothers9 tracked, 2 flagged
• The Honourable Justice John P. Bodurtha9 tracked, 5 flagged
• The Honourable Justice Patrick J. Murray9 tracked, 7 flagged
• The Honourable Justice Peter P. Rosinski7 tracked, 3 flagged
• The Honourable Justice Scott C. Norton7 tracked, 4 flagged
• The Honourable Justice Jeffrey R. Hunt5 tracked, 2 flagged
• The Honourable Justice John A. Keith5 tracked, 4 flagged
• The Honourable Justice Frank P. Hoskins4 tracked, 4 flagged
• The Honourable Justice Denise M. Boudreau3 tracked, 3 flagged
• The Honourable Justice Robin C. Gogan3 tracked, 0 flagged
• The Honourable Justice C. Richard Coughlan2 tracked, 0 flagged
• The Honourable Justice D. Shane Russell2 tracked, 2 flagged
• The Honourable Justice Glen G. McDougall2 tracked, 2 flagged
• The Honourable Justice Bryna D. Hatt1 tracked, 0 flagged
• The Honourable Justice D. Timothy Gabriel1 tracked, 1 flagged
• The Honourable Justice Darlene Jamieson1 tracked, 1 flagged
• The Honourable Justice Gail L. Gatchalian1 tracked, 1 flagged
• The Honourable Justice Kevin Coady1 tracked, 1 flagged

All judges at this court

Offences sentenced most often

• Aggravated assault22 cases
• Sexual interference20 cases
• Sexual assault17 cases
• Manslaughter15 cases
• Second degree murder15 cases
• Assault10 cases
• Possession of a Schedule I or II substance for the purpose of trafficking10 cases
• Possession of a weapon for a dangerous purpose9 cases

Courthouses

• Amherst Supreme Court, Amherst54 Victoria St. E., Amherst, NS B4H 3G5
• Annapolis Royal Courthouse, Annapolis Royal377 Saint George Street, Annapolis Royal, NS B0S 1A0
• Antigonish Supreme Court, Antigonish172 Main Street, Antigonish, NS B2G 2B6
• Barrington Courthouse, Barrington2447 Nova Scotia Trunk 3, Barrington, NS B0W 1E0
• Bridgewater Courthouse, Bridgewater141 High Street, Bridgewater, NS B4V 1W2
• Supreme Court - Satellite Courthouse (Dartmouth), Dartmouth7 Mellor Avenue, Dartmouth, NS B3B 0E8
• Digby Courthouse, Digby119 Queen Street, Digby, NS B0V 1A0
• Law Courts, Halifax1815 Upper Water Street, Halifax, NS B3J 1S7
• Kentville Courthouse, Kentville87 Bridge Street, Kentville, NS B4N 2E5
• Pictou Courthouse, Pictou69 Water Street, P.O. Box 1750, Pictou, NS B0K 1H0
• Port Hawkesbury Courthouse, Port Hawkesbury15 Kennedy Street, Suite 201, Port Hawkesbury, NS B9A 2Y1
• Sydney Courthouse, Sydney136 Charlotte Street, Suites #1 and #2, Sydney, NS B1P 1C3
• Truro Supreme Court, Truro1 Church Street, Truro, NS B2N 3Z5
• Yarmouth Courthouse, Yarmouth164 Main Street, Yarmouth, NS B5A 1C2