Constituted in 2019, the formal mandate of the Professional Standards (Wills, Powers of Attorney and Personal Directives) Committee as approved by Council of the Nova Scotia Barristers’ Society is as follows:
The Professional Standards (Wills, Powers of Attorney and Personal Directives) Committee supports Council in the governance of the Society by developing professional standards for the practice of wills, powers of attorney and personal directives (collectively referred to as “Wills”). Included, though in the Committee’s discretion, is the development of standards in the related practice areas of estates and trusts.
These Standards and their featured resources are intended to be an articulation of the existing statutory and regulatory obligations for lawyers and to provide some guidance with respect to “how” a Standard might be met, taking into account the variances in practice around the province. Each proposed new Standard is first introduced to Council by the Professional Standards (Wills, Powers of Attorney and Personal Directives) Committee and then communicated to the membership for review and consultation. After that process is complete, it is brought back to Council for approval and finally made fully available to lawyers through this website.