Amendments to Improve Service, Efficiency in Justice System

New legislation introduced today, September 24, will modernize laws and make the justice system more efficient.

“These are practical, thoughtful updates that eliminate outdated processes and introduce modern tools,” said Attorney General and Minister of Justice Becky Druhan. “They will make the justice system more responsive, efficient and accessible, while improving programs and strengthening public trust in our institutions.”

The Justice Administration Amendment (Fall 2025) Act makes it possible to expand the program that recalculates child support orders, eases the workload of the chief medical examiner by allowing a qualified alternate to chair death review committees, aligns jury eligibility rules with the Criminal Code, expands who can witness affidavits to improve probate matters, and repeals outdated law stamp requirements.

Amendments to the Civil Forfeiture Act strengthen Nova Scotia’s ability to address organized crime and money laundering. They introduce administrative forfeiture for property under $125,000 obtained through crime, clarify what constitutes a proceed of crime, and update the ways forfeiture funds are used to support victims and crime prevention programs.

The Order of Nova Scotia Act will be amended to increase the number of Nova Scotians who can receive the honour, from five to up to 10 annually, along with other administrative changes.

A request from the auditor general is reflected in amendments to the Auditor General Act that will remove the requirement for the auditor general to review and provide an opinion on the revenue estimates used in the provincial budget.

Additional Resources:

Bills tabled in the legislature are available at: https://nslegislature.ca/legislative-business/bills-statutes/bills/assembly-65-session-1

Order of Nova Scotia: https://novascotia.ca/iga/order.asp

Civil Forfeiture Grant Program: https://novascotia.ca/just/civil-forfeiture-grant-program.asp