Strategic planning environmental scan addresses economic, technological, sociopolitical issues
The Nova Scotia Barristers’ Society will embark on a strategic planning process that acknowledges the significant changes reshaping the legal profession in recent years. The new plan will address the evolving needs of the legal profession amid this period of relative stability.
The last strategic plan, established in 2019 and intended to conclude in 2021, was extended to 2023 due to disruptions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, said the Society in its strategic planning environmental scan document. These challenges impacted the Society’s ability to hold in-person meetings and execute its strategic plan.
Staff turnover further complicated the Society’s operations and reduced its capacity to complete projects, the document added. However, the organization has since bounced back with a full staff and a new chief executive officer, Cheryl Hodder. Changes also occurred within the Bar Council. An election cycle brought in a new council and a second vice president.
The Society intends to involve its members and the broader justice community in its strategic planning, said the document. Through conducting focus groups, sending out surveys, and holding meetings, the Society aims to develop a plan that represents a diverse range of perspectives, reflects the current legal landscape, and anticipates future challenges
“We want to encourage members to get involved in the strategic planning process, so the Society is engaging with members to receive input,” said Hodder in the document posted on the Society’s website.
Key issues and considerations
The environmental scan informing the Society’s strategic planning outlined 19 issues affecting lawyers, law firms, and regulators, said the document. These issues included access to justice and wellness in the legal profession.
A central theme in the environmental scan was governance, the document said. The Society recognized the importance of robust governance structures prioritizing the public interest over personal priorities. The scan highlighted the need for clear objectives and the adoption of best practices in governance to keep pace with societal changes.
Interjurisdictional practice also became a more pressing issue as remote work became commonplace, the document said. With lawyers increasingly seeking to live and work in different jurisdictions, this raised questions about how they should be regulated when practising across provincial boundaries. The Society said that it would develop policies to protect the public interest while accommodating this shift.
Another significant issue that the document addressed was non-lawyer practice. The Society said that it needed to consider its role in overseeing non-lawyer practices to ensure that legal services would be delivered safely and effectively.
Economic challenges, such as inflation, also featured prominently in the Society’s strategic considerations. Rural firms, particularly those practising in family and real estate law, faced economic pressures affecting their ability to serve their communities, the document noted. The Society’s Rural Practice Working Group provided recommendations to address these challenges, including supporting the recruitment and retention of rural lawyers.
Technological advancements, accelerated by the pandemic, have also reshaped the legal profession. With hybrid and virtual practice now being the norm, the document stressed the importance of having new standards and guidance in place to ensure that lawyers can work effectively in this environment.
The Society’s strategic plan will also address broader sociopolitical and environmental issues. Truth and reconciliation efforts remained a priority, the document said. The Society committed to advancing cultural competence and addressing systemic racism within the legal profession, with its Truth and Reconciliation Working Group playing a key role in operationalizing these initiatives.
Climate change was another critical issue identified in the document. The Society said that it was exploring its role in addressing the legal profession’s response to the climate crisis.
