The Nova Scotia Barristers’ Society (NSBS) has introduced a new Succession Planning Professional Standard, effective from the 2nd February 2021. The standard comes as the result of a working group launched in 2017 appointed to consider the implications for the profession if lawyers and firms do not have effective plans in place for practice interruption.
Following a consultation process launched in May 2018, the society’s council approved amendments to the NSBS Regulations, made pursuant to the Legal Profession Act, to include a requirement for lawyers and law firms to develop and maintain succession plans for all lawyers associated with the firm.
The Society has taken the decision to develop resources and support to help lawyers and firms realise these obligations in ways that make sense for their practices and circumstances, rather than taking a compliance-driven approach. Initiatives include a succession planning toolkit, as well as assistance from the society, and meeting to help lawyers work through any issues.
View the new standard here, or read more about the society’s introduction of the standard here.