Chief Justice Deborah Smith of the Nova Scotia Supreme Court has extended the suspension of Jury trials.
It was announced on Monday that trials are on hold until at least Sept. 8 because of the COVID-19 pandemic.
The Supreme Court has been operating under an essential services model since March, and virtual hearings will be extended other court divisions in the coming weeks.
Lawyer Greg Barro says it remains to be seen if this move will have any bearing on an accused’s rights to a speedy trial.
“The Supreme Court of Canada did set upper limits of how long it can take for the trial to take place,” he explained. “But this certainly, global pandemic, could definitely be seen as something that was unforseen.”
Barro explains that the ultimate length of the hold on jury trials will also be a factor.
