Court Support Worker Position – Sydney

Type of Employment: 1-year Term Contract with potential for permanency
Location: Sydney Duty Counsel Office – 402-15 Dorchester Street, Sydney
Salary: TE 23-1 to TE 23-5 ($59,115.94 to $69,758.52)
Closing Date: October 16, 2025 at 12:00 pm

Who we are: Nova Scotia Legal Aid Commission (NSLAC) delivers quality legal aid services throughout the Province, providing some level of help to all Nova Scotians with a focus on assisting those who are systematically disadvantaged. NSLAC’s focus is in the practice areas of criminal, family, and social justice law.

NSLAC employs staff in 25 offices and 3 sub-offices throughout the Province. Our staff are comprised of Staff Lawyers, Legal Assistants, Paralegals, Court Support Workers, Social Workers, a Social Justice Support Worker, and a Prison Law Support Worker. Our staff help thousands of clients every year. We are committed to helping overcome historical and ongoing barriers to access to justice and our Staff Lawyers have litigated many important cases to protect the rights of individuals.

We value a workplace where diversity, in all its forms, is encouraged and recognized for its contribution to a more creative, rewarding workplace that is representative, at all job levels, of the citizens we serve. We welcome applications from Indigenous People, African Nova Scotians and Other Racially Visible Persons, Persons with Disabilities and Women in occupations or positions where they are under-represented. If you are a member of one of these equity groups, you are encouraged to self-identify on your electronic application, cover letter or resume.

Primary Functions

Reporting to the Managing Lawyer and under the direction of the Staff Lawyer(s), the Court Support Worker provides comprehensive administrative support and assists in the delivery of Legal Aid services of the day-to-day legal representation of clients who come before the Court and are unrepresented in criminal matters. The Court Support Worker provides assistance to the Duty Counsel Staff Lawyer(s) and has direct contact with the clients and their supports, with the goal of formulating plans to best ensure an individual’s release and success in the community. Working with other community support and justice groups will be essential.

Ideal Attributes and Skills

- Knowledge of criminal law and community programs focusing on assisting disadvantaged or challenged individuals or groups would be an asset.
- Ability to work with the public and interact with judges, senior government officials, lawyers and agencies in a tactful, professional and courteous manner.
- Compliance with NSLAC’s policies and procedures.
- Demonstrated ability to communicate effectively, both verbally and in writing, including comfort speaking with diverse people.
- Excellent time management and organizational skills.
- Ability to draft correspondence, legal documents, reports and transcribe dictation with attention to detail and accuracy.
- Capacity to work under pressure of deadlines and multiple competing priorities which may require flexibility.
- Ability to work independently, to take initiative, and to use judgment in matters of extreme confidentiality and sensitivity.
- Experience and proficiency with computer software packages including Word and Outlook.
- Must have a valid driver’s license, and access to a motor vehicle.

Qualifications

- Post-secondary diploma in Legal Administration or Paralegal or equivalent training and related relevant experience.
- Minimum 2 years of experience with criminal court practices, procedures and systems.

If you are talented, hardworking and want to be a member of a team that is highly experienced, very caring, dedicated and committed to their clients, we would like to hear from you.

Please indicate Position Title and Location and whether you are an internal or external applicant in the email subject line. Please send your resume and cover letter to NSLA-Careers@nslegalaid.ca.

While we appreciate receiving all applications, only applicants selected for an interview will be contacted. All applications will be held in strict confidence.

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