The Honourable Justice

James L. Chipman

Sitting.

Last updated October 9, 2026

10 cases tracked, 5 flagged.

Below the Crown's ask: 5
No jail for a violent offence: 0
Increased on appeal: 0
Offender offended again: 0

Counts and the score cover the published decisions Sentence Watch has tracked, not every case this judge decided. How cases are chosen.

Leniency score

Rank 56 of 61 scored judges in Canada, 11 of 12 at the Supreme Court of Nova Scotia. Sentences averaged 8% below the Crown’s ask across 10 comparable cases. The average across judges is 23.

Firearms
Other
Violent
Sexual
Property
Below the Crown's ask
Not flagged

Flagged cases

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
- Below the Crown's ask
4.5 years (54 months) global custody across 19 counts, less 558.5 days enhanced remand credit
April 24, 2026
R. v. Levy, 2026 NSSC 129Manslaughter, Halifax
- Below the Crown's ask
4 years custody for manslaughter; criminal negligence causing death conditionally stayed
July 31, 2024
R. v. Willis, 2024 NSSC 222Second degree murder, Halifax
- Below the Crown's ask
- On release at the time
Life imprisonment, no parole for 20 years
Life sentence
October 20, 2023
R. v. J.D. (C.), 2023 NSSC 334Sexual assault of a person under 16, Halifax
- Below the Crown's ask
6.5 years imprisonment
April 20, 2023
R. v. Sandeson, 2023 NSSC 130Second degree murder, Halifax
- Below the Crown's ask
Life imprisonment, no parole for 15 years
Life sentence

Other tracked cases

May 8, 2026
R. v. Cox, 2026 NSSC 153Accessory after the fact to murder, Dartmouth
2 years imprisonment going forward (after 59 days remand credit), then 2 years probation
February 20, 2026
R. v. J.A.C., 2026 NSSC 65Sexual interference; Luring a child, Halifax
5 years in custody, concurrent on both counts
May 14, 2024
R. v. MacInnis, 2024 NSSC 143Arson causing damage to property; Breach of an undertaking; Mischief to other property, Balls Creek
24 months in a federal institution for arson (30 days concurrent on the other counts), then 36 months probation
November 2, 2022
R. v. C.J.P.M., 2022 NSSC 315Sexual assault, Halifax
2 years federal custody, then 24 months probation (joint recommendation)
August 5, 2022
R. v. Baker, 2022 NSSC 229Fraud over $5,000, Dartmouth
12 months jail, fully served by 476 days of enhanced remand credit; 36 months probation; s. 380.2 prohibition, DNA order

Offences sentenced

Fraud over $5,0002 cases
Second degree murder2 cases
Accessory after the fact to murder1 case
Arson causing damage to property1 case
Breach of an undertaking1 case
Forgery1 case
Fraud $5,000 or under1 case
Identity fraud (personation)1 case

Professional background

No sourced background yet.