The Society traces its roots to the Nova Scotia Bar which was established in December 1749, after the City of Halifax was founded.
In 1797, a legal library was created when the Honourable Chief Justice Thomas A. L. Strange donated his personal collection to the province for the use of his fellow lawyers.
Drafted by Attorney-General Richard John Uniacke, the Act provided that all of Nova Scotia’s lawyers would henceforth be barristers, rather than simply attorneys.
In exercising its powers under the Act, the Barristers' Society is required "... to uphold and protect the public interest in the practice of law".
[5] In addition to setting the requirements for call to the Bar[6][7] and guidelines for law practice in the Province,[8][9] the Society investigates and adjudicates potential professional misconduct amongst members.